Make it happen, basketball gods.
From HoopsWorld:
Does anyone believe Erick Dampier is actually going to be in Dallas on opening night? While it sounds nice to say Shawn Marion and Josh Howard could play together on the wings in Dallas . . . and they might just be able to . . . it seems more likely the Mavs continue to shop Erick Dampier. Second, the Detroit Pistons are currently without a center and are shopping guard Richard Hamilton. Rip’s number also matches up with Dampier’s, and again, the Pistons have seen both of their centers sign with other teams over the last few days.
You don’t see that very often: a trade that would clearly help two teams.
Dampier isn’t exactly a force in the middle, but he’s a substantial upgrade over Kwame Brown. Dampier is an offensive buffoon — not including his occasionally preternatural ability to suck in offensive boards — but at least the man can rebound.
Were the Mavericks to hold on to Dampier’s large contrat, Josh Howard would be part of a ridiculously potent (if streaky) 2-4 offensive line-up alongside Charlie Villanueva and Ben Gordon. And the Howard-Hamilton salaries match.
Rip seems just right for the Mavericks, who are desperate for a consistent outside threat. The fact he’s a 30+ veteran with a fat, long-term contract would seamlessly slot into the Cuban way of doing things, financially.
Posted By: Anton
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Categories: Trade Talk
Tagged: Ben Gordon, Charlie Villanueva, Dallas Mavericks, Detroit Pistons, Mark Cuban, Rip Hamilton
No doubt you’ve heard about what is sure to be (irritatingly) dubbed Dunkgate.
If you haven’t, a quick catch-up: LeBron James was dunked on by a 19-year old college baller during a scrimmage. Some dude filmed it. LeBron had Nike representatives seize the tape, presumably to destroy it.
Understandably, most basketball fans want to see this now-famous jam. Not necessarily for the content; if you’re protecting the rim, occasionally you’re going to get dunked on, and such an occurrence is hardly earth-shattering. No, the punters want to see it because they’re not allowed to.
Except for the fans in Ohio. They’re a little too sissy to cop footage of their sensitive superstar having a ball stuffed in his face:
From ESPN:
Dear Ohio: you're a pack of babies.
Let us hope the tape never sees the light of day, lest the delicate sensibilities of Ohio natives everywhere be offended.
Posted By: Anton
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Categories: Off The Court
Tagged: Cleveland Cavaliers, LeBron James, Nike
El Floppino earns his cash.
ESPN.com is reporting that Anderson Varejao, the most irritating-to-watch player in the game, is about to be rewarded by Cleveland with a base contract of $42.5M over 6 years, with incentives likely to push it to $50M.
This is the worst signing ever done by a team. Bar none. This makes Rashard Lewis’ contract look like the bargain buy of the century. Hell, it makes Isiah look good. Here’s the facts:
- You have a remarkably unlikable guy on your books for six years, even if LeBron leaves, because no one else will want him.
- You’re paying a guy $50M when he has barely managed to average 8 and 7 in a season.
- His idea of playing defence is to fall as theatrically as possible.
- You’re paying Anderson fucking Varejao $50M.
I’m going outside to kick a cat.
Posted by: Alex
See Further: Our dot-comrades over at NBAMate have a great wrap-up of Varejao’s repugnant idiocy, which is also where I found the above image.
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Categories: Uncategorized
Tagged: Anderson Varejao, Cleveland Cavaliers, Isiah Thomas, LeBron James, Rashard Lewis
Being an NBA GM is tough. Unlike the rest of us, who have studied at university or (at least) high school to achieve the requisite qualifications for our job, NBA GMs inevitably come from backgrounds as former sharp-shooters, low-post threats or dotcom billionaires. It must be tough to be so ill-qualified to run a basketball team/business — which is why the Count has provided the Cliff notes for the 2009-2010 off-season:
Sometimes flowcharts speak louder than words (click to enlarge).
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Categories: Sport Count Guide
Tagged: Allen Iverson, Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, LA Lakers, LeBron James, Mark Cuban, Orlando Magic, Rasheed Wallace, Ron Artest, Shaquille O'Neal, Vince Carter
