Looking Smooooover?

Recent reports coming out of Atlanta is that high flying Josh “JSmooove” Smith may be on the move. A restricted free agent, the young star has reportedly told friends that he wants out. Smith feels insulted that the Hawks have not shown him much respect in the negotiating process. Recent talk has the Hawks mulling sign and trade offers from two teams. One of the teams being a Western Conference Power. Hmm Lakers? And the other an Eastern Conference Big Dog.

 

Smith is still an unpolished talent but an incredibly gifted athlete with high flying dunks and amazing knack for blocking shots for a wing player. He would help the Lakers in terms of solving what many called their short comings of in terms of interior defense. Add to that the return of Andrew Bynum and that could be something special up front for years to be wreckoned with.

 

Why would the Hawks do this trade? Well if Smith doesnt want to be there and they need to get talent back , then why not a player like Odom whos versatile and once flourished in the Eastern Conference and would give them an expiring contract as an option. The Lakers would benefit from a boost on the defensive side and would get younger not to mention the fact that this is Hollywood and we all know that La La Land loves to be entertained. Smith would almost instantaneously be a new fan favorite.

Sasha Stays

Sasha Vujacic has decided to remain with the Lakers by signing a reported 3 year 15 million dollar deal. Vujacic had given the Lakers an ultimatum to leave for Europe if a deal starting at atleast 5 million per year was not offered. Considering the Lakers already lost Turiaf off their strong bench last year, the Lakers will not willing to call Sasha’s bluff.

 

I personally felt the Lakers should offer him around 3.5 million per year or so for about 5 years. Or, offer him the 5 mill per year he was seeking but for a lesser term like 3 years which is what ultimately Mitch Kupchak did.

 

For what he lacks in athleticism and talent, he makes up for in hustle , determination and work ethic. Outside shooting in the NBA is a lost art and teams are always looking for more shooters so all in all a pretty good deal for both sides considering salaries being thrown around nowadays.

Let Favre Play!!

Brett Favre’s situation is still unsettled. And, with each passing day  it gets more ridiculous. Yes, we know he keeps coming back and changing his mind, yes, we know that it wears on an organization and not allowing them to move on with the future young quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Did i just say Aaron Rodgers? Are you kidding me Packers? You guys are really worried about getting this kid going when a legend still wants to play? Who in the blue hell is Aaron Rodgers? Brett Favre on his worst day is better than Rodgers on his best day and ive watched Rodgers career in the Pac 10 at Cal.

 

Who do you believe? Theres been reports that Favre was asked by management to meet up during the offseason and decide his future. Supposedly, Favre told them there is no reason for a meeting because he was done with football. This however, was close to the end of the season and emotions run high and Favre was probably drained from the long season. Hey , ive changed my mind plenty of times too. Were human. Just the other day i changed my mind from an 8 ounce steak to a 12 ounce one. Things happen. Supposedly, the Packers told Favre that he would be a back up if he came back and that they would not trade him. Dont hold the guy hostage for petes sakes. EIther take him back or let him free. The Packers surprised everyone with their strong season and could get back to the playoffs with a healthy and rejuvenated Brett Favre. If im the Packers i trade Aaron Rodgers and let Favre play for two more years while i groom Brian Brohm , who i feel as do many, that he is a better QB than Rodgers in the future.

 

Dont rush a legend Packers . Dont kick one out the door so soon. You might not like what you find .

Au Revoir Ronny!

One of the Lakers’ fan favorites is now gone. The Lakers and their fans say bye bye to Ronny Turiaf after the team refused to match the offer by the Golden State Warriors of 4 years and over 17 million. The price was just too steep even for a guy like Ronny. His playing time was decreased dramatically in the playoffs and was pretty ineffective in the time he was given. Also with the return of Andrew Bynum , limits for Ronny will be even less. This gives him an opportunity to get up and down the floor in a fast paced , helter skelter game with Don Nelsons system in the Bay Area. A style that could help Ronny flourish although, Nellie is not too fond of big men.

 

Laker fans fell in love with Ronny’s energy and enthusiasm and that was just when he was on the bench. He was different than any other Laker on the team in terms of his physical play and shot blocking ability which was a criticism of this years squad.

 

Both parties were obviously emotional , both Ronny and Laker Management had a tough time with the decision although both felt it was for the best. The Lakers couldve matched the offer by Golden State but in reality it wouldve cost them more than the four million plus on the contract per year. In essence, because the Lakers were over the cap it wouldve cost them about 8 million per year because of luxury tax issues. A deal that was just not feasible for the Lakers front office brass.

 

So we say thank you Ronny for your hustle and childlike exhuberance . If half the players in the league would give your effort and joy to the game, the league would be a  far better product.

Jennings Euro Trip

High School All American Brandon Jennings has decided to buck the system and play in Europe for a year rather than go to college for a year. Take that David Stern. In a movie that has been unprecedented , Jennings has decided that regardless of his SAT exam that he would rather go to Europe and start making money right now as opposed to being somewhere he doesnt like ….school. By now , many people know the story of Brandon Jennings, the LA boy who had transfered from Compton Dominguez to Virginia’s historic Oak Hill Academy. Oak Hill has quite a list of prominent figures as alumni, Carmelo Anthony, Josh Smith, Jerry Stackhouse and Rajon Rondo to name a few.

Brandon Jennings is an incredible talent , although some question his quirky , showboat personality , think Gilbert Arenas. He’s a left handed player who can penetrate like Chris Paul and Deron Williams and leap like Baron Davis . He no doubt will be a top 5 player in next years draft.

This move is going to probably have a ripple effect that i think ultimately causing the NBA to lift the age limit to enter the draft. Until now , nobody was willing to take a leap that Jennings has decided to do. But i gotta feeling that will change if David Stern doesnt change this rule. I never really liked the rule anyways. I mean you got tennis players and golfers going pro at tender ages of 16 . Why should the NBA be any different . The commissioners concerns are not for the ones that make it but the ones that skip college that dont make it. But for every one player that made a mistake coming out early , ill show you 10 that made it. Actually, this current age restrictions have hurt college basketball, with players only going for one year and then leaving coaches shorthanded. Jennings one day will be remembered more for his play then his trailblazing.

Free Agent Movement

Tuesday had some movers and shakers in the Association, with Corey Maggette accepting a reported 5 year deal worth 50 million dollars with the Golden State Warriors. Warriors finally find a taker as they were shun by Baron Davis and Elton Brand. Mikael Pietrus a former Warrior, has agreed to terms with the Orlando Magic, reportedly for their full mid level exception. James Jones agreed to a long term deal with the Miami Heat. A team he played for previously. More updates will be posted as they come in.

86ed for 76ers

Elton Brand has reportedly left the Clip Ship to join the Philadelphia 76ers. In a stunning move that has sent shock waves throughout the league, Brand will get a reported 82 million over 5 years. What once seemed like a virtual lock for him to resign with the Clippers after opting out in order to obtain a free agent by clearing up cap space, has turned around and bit Donald Sterling wear it hurts. Thoughts were that Elton and Baron Davis wanted to join up in Tinsel Town to set up a formidable squad in the West. Brand supposedly was motivated by going to a Finals game in Boston and seeing the likes of Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett team up to ultimately win a title. It is said that Brand wanted the Clippers to go after Davis and that Baron was the free agent targeted for the Clippers to satisfy everyone.

I am not a Clipper fan , never have been and never would be. Although, Baron Davis is probably my favorite player besides Kobe Bryant. But honestly, you have to feel for the little brothers down the hall in Staples Center. I mean one week theyre a top 4 or 5 team in a tough Western Conference and the next week theyre back to being … well the Clippers. It seems like just when theyre about to turn the corner , Clipperness comes out of them again.

You cant really blame the Clippers too much on this one, from what i hear they were willing to renounce a player or two in order to come up with a deal that would reach approximately 80 million in total. Thats only two million dollars in difference over a span of 5 years. You gotta believe that this deal was not money motivated. I have a strong feeling that Elton feels that he just cant make it to the Finals with the Clippers in the brutal West even with Davis. Where in the East, you dont have as many teams that are primed for a long run. Celtics are older as are the Pistons. Lebron might not have enough in Cleveland so with solid young players in Philly along with his addition might be formidable enough to come out of the East. Also, i believe hes tired of getting snubbed from All Star teams in a Power Forward stacked Western Conference.

This deal has a stench that reminds many of the infamous Carlos Boozer Saga. Where a few years ago , Boozer told the Cavaliers to not pick up his option on his contract allowing him to be a free agent with the promise that he would resign. Only to have him leave the Cavaliers high and dry and bolt for a monster deal from the Utah Jazz. Either way , Clipper Nation will be feeling this one for a long time.

Bynum Cleared To Practice

Andrew Bynum finally got the news he was looking for from doctors. He was cleared to start workouts. Bynum said he will start working out in July and be ready by the opening of training camp in October. “His knee looked wonderful, and we are anticipating that within a short period of time , he will begin training.”
This obviously is great news for Laker fans, who have been dreaming of watching the pairing of the Twin Towers of Gasol and Bynum and how it would work.

Bynum Seeking Max Contract

Andrew Bynums agent David Lee believes his client should get the max contract extension. This after Bynum himself weeks earlier said that he doesnt care about max contracts and that he just wants to be a Laker and can be happy taking less. His agent believes that Bynum was “Talking like a 20 year old and had not consulted with his representatives. I think the Lakers know how we feel about this. ” Bynum is eligible for a max contract extension that would be 5 years and 80 million.

I personally believe, although his agent is just trying to do whats best for his client , he is off base on this request at this time. Look, the kid is coming off a serious injury. So much so that he took way longer to recover than originally diagnosed and actually needed surgery which they didnt intend on having. His swelling has just barely subsided. If Im Mitch Kupchak and Jerry Buss , Im telling his agent look , we love Andrew and we believe he is a max contract type player for us in the future. But right now is not the time to start those talks. The Lakers have in their corner the fact that he has this year up coming under contract and the following year they can offer him a qualifying offer which would make him a restricted free agent, that way even if any team makes an offer they can come back and match.

You also have the fact that Bynum wants to be here. He’s said so , many times and like I said earlier even blurted out that he didnt need the max extension. Although you dont want to ruffle the agents feathers here, you also have to make him realize that this is a big investment that will take place when the time is right. Management should take notice of the fiasco that went on with Grant Hill in Orlando when he was unable to stay on the court due to his shattered ankles, every year they were strapped financially with his enormous contract with nothing to show and the inability to sign or trade for more players due to the salary cap.

Agent 000,000,000

Free Agent All Star Point Guard Gilbert Arenas has agreed to resign with the Washington Wizards for 6 years and $111 million. Thats 16 million less than he couldve signed for. “What can I do for my family with 127 million that i can’t do with 111 million” Arenas told the Washington Post. Well Gilbert ummm, actually you can buy them 16 , one million dollar homes. Or how bout 16 million lottery tickets to get more money. HA.

Arenas resigning follows fellow All Star Antawn Jamison resigning with the Wizards keeping them as competitors in the weak Eastern Conference.