The current status of the NBA news cycle is a barren landscape to say the least. Free agents have signed, trades have transpired and the summer league has concluded. Nevertheless, a meager number of discussion worthy tidbits have seeped through the cracks, like so much hydration on the Boston Garden parquet. Let’s make like a Steph Curry fade away 30 footer and quick hit ’em.
First and Formost; RIP Moses Malone.
The “Chairman of the Boards” has permanently stepped down. The stoic big man passed away recently and left us far too soon. Perhaps one of the NBA’s all time underrated players, especially in terms of legacies regarded, Moses was a 12 time all star, league MVP and Finals Champion. Malone jumped around the league quite a bit, playing for six different NBA franchises, after coming over from the ABA in 1976. Moses Malone’s passing comes directly on the heels of fellow big man Darryl Dawkins recent surprise death. Somewhere in the basketball afterlife a ferocious twosome just called next.
Tristan Thompson wants the max (pssst… He doesn’t deserve it).
The Cavaliers and Tristan Thompson’s agent are a reported 14 million dollars apart on the negotiations of a new contract. The Cavaliers have offered 5 years at $80 million, the Canadian big man would prefer a max deal, at $94 million over the same number of years. They’re both too much and one is way too much. For his career, Thompson has averaged 10.1 points and 8.4 rebounds per game. Sure, that definitely deems you worthy of a max deal, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t make as much as Draymond Green. That slightly above average performance in the Playoffs as a member of the team with the best player in the world, absolutely shouldn’t be taken with a grain of salt.
Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert has already committed 94$ million in salary for the upcoming season and an estimated $72 million for the 2016 season. Prior to which the team will undoubtedly resign Kyrie Irving. On a team with large salaries for ultra talented players, Tristan is plainly and simply a bad bet. There’s no reason to begrudge the outstanding rebounder, strike while the iron is slightly warm. Tristan got hyped up in the Finals and is trying to cash in. Thompson’s agent Rich Paul… Pause. Can we just agree to call him “Lebron’s friend” from now on? Unpause. Lebron’s friend has stated that if the Cavs don’t max out Thompson, his client (Lebron’s other friend) will sign the qualifying offer and enter free agency next season. The claims continue, as Rich Paul states that should a deal not be struck, Thompson vows to leave the land that time forgot, otherwise known as Cleveland. On it’s face it appears that team Thompson is gambling on itself, yet it is Cleveland that holds the trump card. Just when Tristan lays out all his pokemon in what appears to be an insurmountable attack, the Cavs reach within and grasp the card played closest to the vest… I choose you Lebronodon!!!
Let Tristan play out the season on the qualifying offer, then offer him what he’s really worth after the benefit of a further season of examination. When the chips are down, see if Thompson is ready to walk away from Lebron and perennial championship contention.
Kobe Bryant is clear to resume all basketball activities.
No one knows for sure if this is to be Kobe’s last year in the league. It is certain, however, that this is his last year under contract with the Lakers. The Lakers have already stated they intend to place a hard minutes cap on their all time great shooting guard. That should go over well with Kobe. I’m sure if a win is within reach and he hits that maximum minute total, he will more than willingly mosey off the court.
The stats back up Kobe having a bad year, succumbing to age and injury, fading off into the sunset, a bittersweet memory whose legend only grows with every setting sun. But can’t we all picture Kobe, the Black Mamba spitting in the face of father time and having a transcendent season, leaving us anticipating the extension of his illustrious career for years to come. Wishful thinking perhaps, but Kobe is to blame. The man has plied his trade with such excellence that greatness isn’t anticipated or hoped for, rather expected as a steadfast constant. Kobe isn’t the mighty ship that sails the vast ocean boldly exploring uncharted territories, relentlessly seeking the brave new world, he is the inflexible, unforgiving rock that sinks it.
The Dallas Mavericks wanted to sign Steve Nash… This off season!!!
That’s right this off season. If television has told us anything about Mavericks owner Mark Cuban, it is that he is a billionaire. What is it that billionaire’s usually possess? That’s right, everything. Which leads us to believe that he owns at least one television. Subsequently as an owner of an NBA franchise, one would be lead to believe that he would likely have purchased league pass, purely to keep up with his lofty peers. During that time, one can also assume he would have watched a Laker game here or there and not seen Steve Nash playing for what really has been two seasons now. The informed fan would gather that Cuban wished to sign Nash as a tip of the cap to the franchise’s former star point guard. Unfortunately, the physical embodiment of that cap tip would have required a salary and a roster spot. Long story short, Nash wisely took a position with the Warriors in player development. File this one under, “What a train wreck that would have been.”
Anthony Davis has reportedly added 12 pounds of muscle this off season.
No he hasn’t. Every year “so and so” has added xx’s pounds of muscle this offseason, or leaned down, or in Glen Davis’ case added 45 pounds of fat. It never happens, excluding Big Baby. We hear the rumors, then we see the player and lo and behold, they’re exactly the same.
Anthony Davis is already thiiiiiiis close to being the best player in the NBA, a bicep or tricep here or there isn’t going to make that much difference, if anything it might slow him down. All hyperbole aside, it is scientifically, very difficult for a professional athlete, already in peak condition, to add twelve pounds of muscle in what ends up being 4-5 months. Now, when AD adds 120 pounds and three feet in height, then I’m interested.
The New York Knicks are coming to grips with the fact that they may need to trade Carmelo Anthony.
What this translates to is, “We’re willing to trade Carmelo now, give us your best offer.” Let me get this straight, just off the top of his head, Phil Jackson, in a moment of existential clarity no doubt, notified the Knicks media contingent that he now believes it could be time to ship out offensive powerhouse, Carmelo Anthony. If Jackson is indeed speaking honestly (he isn’t) then he now knows what many fans realized a long time ago, that the Knicks’ and Carmelo’s timetables do not align. The time is now to trade Carmelo, expect him to be dealt by the trade deadline. The Knicks are going nowhere and Anthony’s offense is desired elsewhere. Get to work Phil, it’s time to do something right, you might as well start here.
