As the summer of 2010 gradually becomes a distant memory, Commissioner David Stern and the National Basketball Association can reflect upon it with tremendous pride due to the record numbers produced at the gate in its wake.
And the teams whose coffers saw the largest boons were the ones who were able to land the biggest fish in the most talent-laden free agent pool in NBA history.
According to Street & Smith’s SportsBusiness Journal, the NBA will begin the 2010-11 season later this month with more than $100 million in new full-season-ticket revenue, a record amount for the league, as well as new full-season ticket sales surpassing the tally for all of 2009.
The five teams with the highest number of new sales through the end of September were the Chicago Bulls, the Miami Heat, the New York Knicks, the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Orlando Magic; the majority of whom were prominent players in the LeBron James sweepstakes and made huge splashes in free agency.
The acquisition of Carlos Boozer by the Bulls, LeBron James & Chris Bosh by the Heat, and Amar’e Stoudemire by the Knicks significantly contributed to the major storylines in the off-season that will continue to play themselves out during the regular season.
Will the formidable triumvirate of Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Chris Bosh shatter the NBA record for wins in a season on the way to the first of multiple championships?
Can the Chi-Town trio of Derrick Rose, Carlos Boozer and Joakim Noah become an Eastern Conference power to rival ‘Miami Thrice’?
Did the resurgence of the New York Knicks, one of the marquee franchises in the league, truly begin with the arrival of Amar’e Stoudemire in the Big Apple?
Easily numbering in the thousands, fans of these respective teams sincerely believe the answer to the aforementioned questions is a resounding ‘yes’; and that firm belief has manifested itself in increased new ticket sales and will do so in the form of higher television ratings during the regular season as well.
So for all the criticism heaped upon LeBron James for the manner in which he announced his ‘Decision’, all he really did was serve as the backbone of the most intriguing off-season in league history, leading to a series of difference-making maneuvers by several franchises in preparation for his potential arrival or eventual snub.
And in all likelihood, the summer of 2010 will be viewed as a box office and television ratings bonanza for the NBA, the likes of which hasn’t been seen since Michael Jordan was at the apex of his legendary career; which is a winning combination for the owners, the players and, more importantly, the league fan base.
The hope for teams like the New York Knicks is that this also translates to on-court success; especially after the past three years where they have averaged a dismal 28 wins per season.
Click here to read the original article on Examiner.com, which includes relevant links and a special video presentation.
Dominoes continue to fall on the eve that free agents can officially sign contracts with new teams in the National Basketball Association.
Obviously, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh agreeing to join forces in Miami overshadowed any other announcement that hit the basketball wire on Wednesday. Nevertheless, moves continue to be made under the radar that could have as significant an impact as the decisions that have been rendered by Bosh and Wade and the one anticipated to be rendered by LeBron James on ESPN Thursday evening.
Speaking of which, according to ESPN.com, Carlos Boozer and the Chicago Bulls have agreed to a 5-year, $80 million contract that will give the Windy City a voice in how the Eastern Conference will be decided over the next few seasons.
Last season, his sixth with the Utah Jazz, Boozer posted averages of 19.5 points and 11.2 rebounds per game and, in eight seasons, Boozer, a two-time All-Star, has put up career averages of 17.2 points and 10.2 rebounds per contest.
So with Boozer now headed to Chicago, Bosh and Wade setting up shop in South Beach and Amar’e Stoudemire on his way to the New York Knicks, the speculation now becomes which situation is the most attractive to become a part of in the eyes of LeBron James.
Alternatively, ‘The King’ could turn his back on Chicago, Miami and New York and opt to remain with the Cleveland Cavaliers to buoy the hopes of the franchise and the city.
In any case, all the debate and all the overanalysis is expected to come to an end tomorrow when the egocentric James makes an announcement that will apparently take a full hour to utter.
Thank God.
Click here to read more about 2010 NBA free agency on Examiner.com.
OtB is counting down the days 'til the NBA 2009-10 season tips off by ranking the top 50 players in the league. On Saturday there are 38 days left.
Boozer should be higher than this. He really should. He's an Olympian, sure. The Lost Olympian, sure, but still an Olympian. The argument about that, anyway, goes that Coach K didn't want to show favoritism to the former Dukie he coached. Of course, this was all before Boozer showed his true Benedict Arnold tendencies. It seems under Coach K's quiet tutelage, Boozer's a stand up citizen despite the last name. However, left to his own devices, Boozer does things like screw over Cleveland andLeBron James. He's in the process of doing the same to the Jazz. And if you're like me, you gotta be shaking your head and wondering why. Why angle oneself out of awesome opportunities? Pride? Masochism? I offer for your consideration a third reason. Bill Simmons has the Ewing Theory. I present to theblogoverse, the Nash Effect.
The Nash Effect states that when there are too many positives in a basketball equation, often catalyzed by one ineffable, uncriticizable player, it is inevitable that some positives will become negatively charged, usually due to low self perception and a general not-hugged-enough syndrome. The keynote example of this is, of course, the Steve Nash era in Phoenix. By all accounts, Nash is a great team mate and has made playing basketball a joy for team mates and fans alike. However, solid players seemed to hemorrhage out of Phoenix like car factories out of the US. (Ouch. Too soon?) You might blame it on the tight wallet strings of ownerSarver, whose reign over the Suns started just as the Nash Era was getting away.
You could certainly say Joe Johnson was the first victim to this penny pinching, though he did make comments about wanting to be more featured on a team. Shawn Marion, however, was a bit more vocal in his wish to leave just so he could be "the man" somewhere. Marion's now playing with the team that looks like Nash's "friend zone." Dirk and Mark Cuban, perhaps they were the first victims of the Nash Effect. And Jason Kidd should be seen historically as the man who got Steve Nash's sloppy seconds, even if Kidd will get into the Hall and Nash might not. Even Shaq, who wasn't exactly a beautiful meshing of talents with the Nash Era, got a bit of renaissance in him and then bolted.
Why does it happen? Team mates who leave never disparage Nash directly, and in this Nash Effect is somewhat similar to the Ewing theory in its' ramifications' perverse subtlety, but that they haven't felt "featured" enough has been the common theme (Shaq, as always, is the outlier). The logical, pop-psych jump I'm asking you to make is that despite players such as Johnson and Marion knowing it's a perfect situation--they won 62 games in 04-05!--they opted out because they didn't think they deserved such an opportunity. It's a classic result of low self perception. Because these players don't think they deserve success and adulation as part of a revolutionary movement, they choose to self-sabotage and move their games to stix. Better to not try for ultimate career success than to make an honest effort with a team for the ages and fail, goes the thinking, and it stems from the worry that that ultimate failure will be the Nash Effect victim's fault. It's not, homies. It's just your ghostly demons. Realize them and realize your potential. Leave them unheeded and let them whisper your subconscious while you sleep, and you'll end up just another NBA underachiever.
Let's return to Boozer, though, shall we? How does Boozer fit into the Nash Effect? Obviously, he hasn't come across having Nash as a team mate, but he has had major facilitators who also demand the limelight, even if they don't demand it explicitly. (I remember a story about Deron Williams taking his interviews outside the locker room, but I can't seem to find it and perhaps it was another player...) Teaming with Lebron James for his development and subsequent prime? Uh, yeah, only idiots or legit 1A's should be getting up on that statement. Now, I'm not calling Boozer an idiot. It's regrettable really, because he fell victim to the Nash Effect. It could look like the sad lure of money that drew 'Los away or an egoistic streak that really doesn't seem apparent in his general comportment. Instead, I offer you the Nash Effect as a third angle with which to view Boozer's sad skittering away from success. Over the last year or so, Boozer's been rumored moving away from Utah. If the Jazz fans booed Derek Fisher for leaving because his daughter had a serious condition, what will they do if Boozer leaves?
Now why, you ask, is Carlos trying to leave Salt Lake City? Is it because he's tired of working for HoF'er Jerry Sloan and his old school ways? Is it because he thinks Paul Millsap is going to supplant him in the starting lineup? Are AK47's copies of Crime and Punishmentsomehow getting into Boozer's locker? Did Andrei not let Boozer take her out? Or was it that Boozer's wife wouldn't let him take anyone out but her, heaven forbid! Only God knows what goes on inside that melon of Boozer's. Few people would tell you Boozer has been talking about leaving because he doesn't want to play with Deron Williams anymore. I am one of those few, even if 'Los himself isn't. Boozer has Nash Effect written all over him. Why else would he consciously flee situations where he's gifted with nearly perfect distributors who are willing and able to get him the ball in ideal situations? 'Los doesn't think he deserves to win, and it's sad.
In one way of looking at the Nash Effect, you could actually see the fall out meaning these victims are willing to play a less golden-boy role in this league. As in, be the villains? Alright, I'll get off my stupid soap box. But first, I salute you Carlos Boozer, for courageously taking yourself out of the highly coveted spots on contenders and teams of the future. Young bigs the world over thank you. Remember to take a photo of the fruitbasket they give you at the Memphis signing in three years after all the current and relevant talent has gone. Anyway, some details.
The Skinny: If LaMarcus Aldridge has a sweet, high release, Boozer has some other world, gonzo stuff going on. The ball seems to rock back with Booz and he cradles it well below his defender's outstretched arms, and then somehow it arcs slowly over the fingers of the well meaning defender. I've seen him arc shots like that over the healthy Yao, and that's no small feat. It has honestly reminded me of the Jordan fade-away at times. Plus, he goes for 20 and 10, at least, when healthy. Last season he was a little banged up, but all indications point to a healthy season.
Why he's #38: Boozer goes this low because you just don't trust him anymore. I gotta think that aversely affects that locker room. When you talk about irreplaceability, he's not exactly an untouchable when he has an open request to move on the table. When you talk about skills and talent, he's got 'em. He's kind of the talent-realization we hoped to see in the careers of guys like Elton Brand and Kenyon Martin (not in terms of skill set, but just in seeing them as undersized 4's who were looked at as potentially highly productive...they all have been, but it hasn't quite translated to the kind of career you'd hope for with the other two). The ineffables, though? That's where Boozer gets tripped up. It's fine that he's a solid player, and it's fine that he's going to make the best business decision for him and his family. But as a team mate, if you're not consciously questioning this guy's heart and love for the game, then certainly your subconscious is screaming it at you.
The big news lately is the monster trade that has gone down and the one still rumored to come about. After Hedo Turkoglu turned around (because of his wife) and reneged on Portland, the Mavs worked to bring in Shawn Marion. It turned out to be in the form of a four-way trade with Memphis and Orlando. Including Orlando and Dallas made me wonder why Gortat and possibly Brandon Bass weren't included in this, but at least Marion makes it to Dallas.
The new trade rumored takes care of another of the issues circling this offseason: Utah's cap-space predicament. The rumor, and who knows how much creedence to give it, has Carlos Boozer going to the Bulls, Kirk Hinrich going to Portland, and Tyrus Thomas going to the Jazz. Boozer and Hinrich make sense, and Thomas would provide a power forward option if the Jazz don't end up re-signing Paul Millsap or else acting as Millsap's back-up. The question, however, is who Portland loses in this trade.
Besides the big five of Orlando, the Lakers, Boston, Cleveland, and the Spurs (who picked McDyess to bolster their acquisition of Richard Jefferson before the draft), the big winners of this offseason are the Dallas Mavericks and, surprisingly, the Atlanta Hawks. Dallas looks to get Marcin Gortat through free agency, retained Jason Kidd, and then went out and peddled that Stackhouse contract into Shawn Marion. Atlanta went out to and traded for Jamal Crawford, then re-signed Mike Bibby and Zaza Pachulia. It might not seem like major moves by the Hawks, but it's a big step away from their reputation as an NBA player acquisition black hole.
If you want the full down load on all NBA player movement, you can check out the ESPN movement central. Otherwise, here's a rundown of OtB's top 30 free agents and where they've landed. The players still without a settled home yet are now in red. Lamar Odom is probably the player left un-signed that will make the biggest impact. Other notablses are Brandon Bass, Allen Iverson, and Grant Hill. The unrestricted young'uns have been waiting for the other dominoes to fall.
Kobe Bryant - Los Angeles Lakers: Kobe chose not to opt out.
Carlos Boozer - Utah Jazz: Boozer exercised a player option.
Ama're Stoudamire - TBD (trade?)
Ben Gordon - Detroit Pistons: Gordon signed a 5 year deal for $55 million.
Paul Millsap - TBD (restricted)
Josh Smith - TBD (trade?)
Ron Artest - Los Angeles Lakers: signed with Lakers for five years and about $33 million.
Trevor Ariza - Houston Rockets: essentially swaps places with Ron-Ron, to the tune of...well, an almost identical contract.
Chris Anderson - Denver Nuggets: The Birdman re-signed with the Nugs for up to $26 million on a back-loaded, incentive based deal.
Lamar Odom - TBD
Jason Kidd - Dallas Mavericks: After flirting with New York, Kidd re-signed for three years with the Mavs at $25 million.
Hedo Turkoglu - Toronto Raptors: Instead of signing with either the Blazers or Raps, Turkoglu got included in the trade that sent Marion to Dallas.
Rasheed Wallace - Boston Celtics: 'Sheed signed with the Celts for 2 years of the MLE.
David Lee - TBD (restricted)
Shawn Marion - Dallas Mavericks: Marion signed-and-traded to Mavs after Raps picked up Hedo Turkoglu. He's getting a five year $39 million deal.
Nate Robinson - TBD (restricted)
Kyle Korver - Utah Jazz
Charlie Villanueva - Detroit Pistons: signed for five years, $35 million.
Brandon Bass - TBD
Marcin Gortat - TBD: The Magic still have a few days to match the Mavs offer sheet for the Polish Hammer, but it's been a foregone conclusion that Gortat would be end up in Dallas.
Allen Iverson - TBD
Andre Miller - TBD
Mike Bibby - Atlanta Hawks: three year deal estimated around $18 million.
Drew Gooden - TBD
Antonio McDyess - San Antonio Spurs: McDyess signed up for three years and a guaranteed $15 million.
Grant Hill - TBD
Zaza Pachulia - TBD: Atlanta Hawks look to re-sign the big man.
Von Wafer - TBD
Stephon Marbury - TBD
Zach Randolph - Memphis Grizzlies: Traded from the Clips.
Other notes: Anderson Varejao signed a weirdly albatross-ic six year deal up to $50 million. Dahntay Jones went from the Nuggets to the Pacers, meaning Jarret Jack might be moving. The Lakers also re-signed guard Shanon Brown.
Monday, I posted a list of the top 30 free agents this NBA off season, imho of course. The market on free agents opened several hours ago, 12:01 EST specifically. So far the action has amounted to a few players opting to stay/choosing not to opt out and one Daryl Morey petitioning Rockets fans to show their love for the Polish Hammer over facebook and twitter. For speculation and chatter, refer to Marc Stein.
As the dust settles, I'll update this post with where free agents are moving (or staying) and a bit about how it went down. I'll repost every few days with the banner players included in the title. Until a player's destination is determined, they will be marked TBD (to be determined). Players who are restricted free agents or are only suspected to be moving through trades will be demarcated as such. There are a few other names floating (again, you can check ESPN's list), but for simplicity's sake we'll stick to these 30. Stay tuned.
Kobe Bryant - Los Angeles Lakers: Kobe chooses not to opt out, saving Lakers $0. I agree that he's entitled.
Carlos Boozer - Utah Jazz: Boozer exercises player option, meaning the Jazz owe him $12.6 mil, though he might only keep half. Okur and Korver followed suit. This means less to no ducats for Utah to retain Millsap.
Ama're Stoudamire - TBD (trade)
Ben Gordon - TBD (verbal agreement with Detroit)
Paul Millsap - TBD (restricted)
Josh Smith - TBD (trade)
Ron Artest - TBD
Trevor Ariza - TBD
Chris Anderson - TBD
Lamar Odom - TBD
Jason Kidd - TBD (the Kidd is holding court in NYC; Mark Cuban has come calling)
Hedo Turkoglu - TBD
Rasheed Wallace - TBD (looks like Boston, Orlando, Dallas, or San Anton for 'Sheed)
David Lee - TBD (restricted)
Shawn Marion - TBD
Nate Robinson - TBD (restricted)
Kyle Korver - Utah Jazz
Charlie Villanueva - TBD (verbal agreement with Detroit)
Brandon Bass - TBD
Marcin Gortat - TBD (Interest from Rockets, Mavs, New York, and Indiana. Looks like the Polish Hammer should've been higher on this list, though he is still restricted. Send Rockets support rocketsfanslovegortat@gmail.com.)
Allen Iverson - TBD
Andre Miller - TBD
Mike Bibby - TBD
Drew Gooden - TBD
Antonio McDyess - TBD
Grant Hill - TBD (Denver interested?)
Zaza Pachulia - TBD
Von Wafer - TBD
Stephon Marbury - TBD
Zach Randolph - TBD (trade pending to Grizzlies)
Two transactions of note:
Leon Powe did not receive a qualifying offer from the Boston Celtics. This seems in line with CV31's situation with the Bucks, except Powe is still injured. Coming off a rookie salary, this means the promising forward could miss out on a hard-earned larger second contract. Here's hoping he lands in a supportive situation regardless.
Anderson Varejao has opted to test free agency, which I hadn't expected. It seemed after the last silliness that came from him testing free agency, he'd have learned his lesson. Stay with the King, Andy.
With NBA free-agent signings set to commence Wednesday (12:01 am if any GMs are really enthusiastic), it seems the appropriate time for OtB to bring you the top 30 players who might be moving in the coming months. With 30 quality players possibly moving and 30 NBA teams, it only makes sense to match each player with a prospective team, even if it most certainly won't shake out that way.
A quick update, before we get into the list. The teams with the most cap space are the Memphis Grizzlies, the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Portland Trailblazers, and the Detroit Pistons. The teams with potentially the most players to lose to free-agency are the Lakers, Utah Jazz, and Pistons. Do the math, Detroit stands the change the most significantly this summer. You can check out ESPN's list to see all the players eligible this summer and next. It's been pointed out that big name teams are positioning to have loads of cap space next summer. Therefore, for smaller market teams like the Grizzlies, the time to make significant acquisitions might be now or never. Teams that have already made some serious moves this summer include the Orlando Magic, San Antonio Spurs, and Cleveland Cavaliers. On to the list!
Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers: The best of this crop, Kobe can opt out this summer, but leaving the Lakers now couldn't do anything for his reputation or title hopes.
Carlos Boozer, Memphis Grizzlies: The Grizz don't have a history for making firebrand moves, but they are looking, as well they should be, to fill that power forward slot. The Grizz discussed a (failed, thankfully) trade for Zach Randolph, so Boozer would be a big pick up.
Ama're Stoudamire, Golden State Warriors: Though Don Nelson seems to be messing with Steve Kerr, the Warriors are still looking at STAT. There've been murmurings that Ama're won't be as effective after rehabbing his...eye.
Ben Gordon, Minnesota Timberwolves: Minny just traded away two shooting guards. The Brit would fit perfectly here.
Paul Millsap, OKC Thunder: Millsap is a restricted free agent, but OKC has been talking shop. He'd be great next to Durant, but the Thunder already have Jeff Green and are thin at the center spot. Perhaps a trade with Memphis for Marc Gasol? If the Jazz retain Millsap, teammate Okur could also be available. Just speculation here, though.
Josh Smith, Washington Wizards: Smith is not a free agent, but teams have been salivating over mention he might be available. Washington's Antawn Jamison is also rumored to be up for relocation. Swapsies?
Ron Artest, Houston Rockets: The Rockets have been getting it right lately, and though the team looks drastically different without Yao, they will most likely put a premium on brining Artest back.
Trevor Ariza, Cleveland Cavaliers: Ariza will most likely be back with the Lakers, but for the purposes of this exercise let's take note of the Cavs fleeting interest, especially because Cleveland would love to take a piece away from the Lakers.
Chris Anderson, Heat: The Heat boast plodding big men Udonis Haslem and Jermaine O'neal up front, but Dwayne Wade needs some horses to run with. The Birdman would be a perfect example. The Heat also have long standing interest in Boozer.
Lamar Odom, Indiana Pacers: Lamar loves the Lakers and vice versa, but if he can't get back Indiana would love to snap him up. Mike Dunleavy Jr. is out for the start of the season and Lamar would work perfectly as a complement to Danny Granger.
Jason Kidd, New York Knicks: Kidd might re-up with the Mavs, but New York and Mike D'Antoni (and Darko) have shown interest. Kidd could also take the mid-level to go play with Lebron and Shaq.
Hedo Turkoglu, Toronto Raptors: The Magic took on Vince Carter, and thus will not be able to pay Hedo what he wants. Also interested are the Pistons and Spurs, but something tells me Hidayet is going North of the border.
Rasheed Wallace, Orlando Magic: Orlando, however, is not staying still this offseason. They're looking to blow this weapons race out of the water by picking up the former Piston.
David Lee, Milwaukee Bucks: Lee could end up anywhere needing a good rebounder, including Memphis or, yes, New York. Milwaukee looks for the pick up by not extending a qualifying offer to Charlie Villanueva. Lee is a restricted free agent though, so could stay in NY.
Shawn Marion, New Orleans Hornets: CP3's team needs depth everywhere but pg and pf. Peja Stojakovic has been tailing off, so they need to pick up someone to play the 3.
Nate Robinson, Sacramento Kings: Though the Kings just picked up Tyreke Evans, Krypto-Nate has shown his ability to play with other points-guards, even behind them, just not in D'Antoni's system. Robinson is also a restricted free agent.
Kyle Korver, Utah Jazz: the Jazz stand to lose the most this summer, but they should hold on to at least some of their free agents, of which Korver is one.
Charlie Villanueva, New Jersey Nets: Powder's just 24, so would complement New Jersey's youth movement nicely, and would play well next to Brooks Lopez.
Brandon Bass, Chicago Bulls: The Bulls have needed a banger ever since Elton Brand left town. Bass would fill that void. Orlando also seems interested.
Marcin Gortat, Boston Celtics: The Celts were so desperate for depth up front that they signed Mikki Moore last season. They'd much prefer the Polish Hammer.
Allen Iverson, Charlotte Bobcats: I have no idea what the future holds for the answer. The only straw to grasp on now is word that Iverson wouldn't mind playing for Larry Brown again.
Andre Miller, Philadelphia 76ers: Similarly, I have no idea where Miller will end up. Someplace that needs a back up pg? Let's just say he goes back to Philly, since I can't imagine Jrue is really ready to be the full time distributor.
Mike Bibby, Portland Trail Blazers: I'm looking to Portland to make splashes through trades rather than free agency, and then perhaps make an impact next summer. Though really I have a feeling they might fumble all that talent they've stockpiled. They've been looking for a point, and Bibby can be off the ball enough to play with B-Roy.
Drew Gooden, San Antonio Spurs: If the Spurs don't pick up any of the bigger name big men this summer, look for them to retain Gooden.
Antonio McDyess, Detroit Pistons: Dumars strikes me as a guy moving through trades, so I'm not looking for big acquisitions this summer in free agency. McDyess will probably retire if he doesn't get resigned by the Pistons, so we'll put him here.
Grant Hill, Phoenix Suns: See above, McDyess. Substitute Kerr for Dumars.
Zaza Pachulia, Dallas Mavericks: I originally included Zaza on this list just because his name is awesome. But The Mavs don't have much beyond Dampier at the 5, so Pachulia could be a good hire.
Von Wafer, Denver Nuggets: The Nuggets should really stand pat this summer and just focus on re-signing the Birdman, but if they lose him Von Wafer could be a nice scorer behind Billups. Anthony Carter might not return for back up duty.
Stephon Marbury, Atlanta Hawks: The Hawks are thin pretty much everywhere, and need to not start Maurice Evans on one of the wings, but after acquiring Jamal Crawford, the Hawks just have to figure out what's really good with Josh Smith. Starbury could be back with the Celts, but House will probably return too.
Zach Randolph, Los Angeles Clippers: Randolph makes this list simply because the Clippers need to get rid of Z-bo and make room for Blake Griffin. Randolph's not a free agent, but their failure to move him will simply confirm that the Clippers continue to be the worst franchise in the history of sports. How did they get Boom Dizzle to sign last summer? Geez.
Honorable mention: Wally Szczerbiak, who doesn't make the list because without his albatross contract still set to come of the books, he loses a whole heap of value. Maybe Larry Bird will pick him up. Just kidding.
This clip comes to you from a couple years back when, just before halftime during a Jazz/Suns game, Carlos Boozer chipped Steve Nash's tooth. The interview starts kind of normal but ends with Nash doing a pretty hilarious lisp. What a guy.
