Entries tagged as ‘Chris Wallace’
September 1, 2008 · 1 Comment
Darko Miličić. Donnie Walsh approves.
Yep, that’s right. Newsday is reporting that, in an effort to rid their roster of the bloated Z-Bo contract, New York are in discussions with GM Of The Year Chris Wallace about the availability of running joke, and occasional power forward, Darko Miličić.
We recently rated the Knicks Roster contract by contract, so we’re all over the logic. Yes, I understand the benefits of freeing up cap space for 2010. I understand that Z-Bo doesn’t fit the system and is probably the worst contract on the team outside of Starbury (aka Stephon Marbury, aka ‘The Cancer’s Cancer’), but that’s all beside the point.
My issue with this trade is dignity. It’s a very simple rule: if you’re already being criticised for your bad decisions and poor management, don’t trade for the single worst decision in NBA Draft History (although Michael Olowakandi might have something to say about that). I’d rather sign Robert ‘Tractor’ Traylor. I’d honestly rather do business with whichever European team owns the rights to Qyntel Woods than subject my fans to the affront of having to watch Darko Miličić in my team’s colours.
Thank God the Knicks just traded the rights to Frederic Weis, because we’d be one call up away from an entirely European frontcourt – a move which would surely prompt riots in MSG, and a short film on the racism of the Knicks from Spike Lee (filmed in a Cinema Verite style from his half-court, courtside seats, narrated by Tracy Morgan).
The only positive in this situation is that Darko and New Darko (Danilo Gallinari) may, in fact, find themselves on the court at the same time. That might just create a rift in the space/time continuum, which would allow Walt Frazier and Bernard King to arrive in a DeLorean, ensuring that the Knicks make the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 1995.
Posted by: James
Categories: NBA Mysteries · Trade Talk
Tagged: Chris Wallace, Darko Milicic, Danilo Gallinari, Stephon Marbury, Zach Randolph, Spike Lee, Frederic Weis, Tracy Morgan, Walt Frazier, Bernard King
Want a good guy cheap? Call the Bucks now.
Considering the ridiculous glut of small forwards clogging the Bucks’ roster, I understand the need to dump a contract or two.
Indeed, with Desmond Mason, Charlie Villaneuva, Richard Jefferson, and future bust Joe Alexander all on the depth chart at the three-spot — not even mentioning Michael Redd and Charlie Bell, both of whom have spent time, albeit briefly, as swingmen — it was clear at least one of them would have to go.
But that doesn’t explain why they gave away Mason for so little. He may have a replaceable skillset — shoot-first wingmen aren’t too hard to come by — but plenty of teams could have used him, or at least his expiring contract.
As for justifications for gifting Mo Williams away in return for a second-stringer like Luke Ridnour? There are none. It represents yet another reason why Bill Simmons’ campaign to manage the Bucks wasn’t completely preposterous.
Yes, Williams’ contract may have seemed a little too large for the Bucks, especially considering the inexplicably incredible play of back-up Ramon Sessions late last season (remember the second last game of the season, when he dropped 24 dimes on Chicago? Who saw that coming?). And sure, Mo was yet another scorer on a team already packed with bucket fillers.
But letting a sweet shooting (48% from the field in ‘07-’08), easy scoring (17.2 points a game) floor manager go for next to nothing is abominable roster management. If the best offer you can find for your starting point man is seriously a red-headed John Mayer lookalike who couldn’t beat out Earl Watson on the Seattle depth chart, take your finger off the trigger and wait a better offer to hit the inbox. Plus, you’ll be paying Ridnour, and his busted legs, $6.5m per year. Which isn’t good.
You’re telling me the Mason and Mo duo couldn’t bring a bit of frontcourt depth to Milwaukee? (In case you’ve forgotten, when Andrew Bogut needs a rest, the Bucks have two options: Jake Voskuhl and Dan Gadzuric). You’re telling me they couldn’t address their greatest need: someone who is capable of playing defense? You’re telling me Adrian bloody Griffin, who hasn’t averaged more than five points since ‘01-’02, Damon Jones, who isn’t good at anything but sporadically nailing open threes, and Luke Ridnour were the best the Bucks could do?
Good lord.
Only Chris Wallace at the Grizzlies would think a contract dump like this is acceptable, though even he would’ve at least negotiated the inclusion of a 2058 thirteenth round draft pick.
Finally, a quick note on Cleveland: Congratulations Danny Ferry, you finally did something right. Another team offered you a top-notch starting point guard in return for mediocrity, and you accepted.
Posted By: Anton
Categories: Trade Talk
Tagged: Chris Wallace, Memphis Grizzlies, Cleveland Cavaliers, Seattle Supersonics, Richard Jefferson, Joe Alexander, Desmond Mason, Bill Simmons, Danny Ferry, Charlie Villaueva, Michael Redd, Milwaukee Bucks, Andrew Bogut, Charlie Bell, Mo Williams, Luke Ridnour, Ramon Sessions, Earl Watson, Jake Voskuhl, Dan Gadzuric, Adrian Griffin, Damon Jones
Seven-foot block machine Marcus Camby has found a new home.
RealGM is reporting that the 06-07 Defensive Player of the year has been traded to the Clippers for… absolutely nothing!
Would Diddy Like This Gift?
Well, not nothing, technically. The Clips have sent a second round draft pick to the Nuggets in exchange for the The Camby Man, raising a legitimate question: is Mark Warkentien an amoeba dressed as a human being?
Clipper Nation is the place to be this offseason, and they’re a contender for the best offseason of all time. For those keeping count, the Clips have, so far:
- Signed the biggest free agent of the year.
- Lost their franchise player after seven years, in dubious circumstances.
- Made the most lopsided trade of the offseason, and arguably of the most lopsided of the last 20 years which doens’t involve Chris Wallace.
For the Nuggets though, this is a really weird trade.
It’s just strange. Why are the Nuggets doing this? Are they freeing up cap space for another lopsided move involving another one of their studs? Is this the end of Carmelo? Will Ron Artest be coming to the Mile High City, as was speculated last season?
Watch this space. You can rest assured that the Nuggets are definitely not done.
Posted by: James
Categories: Trade Talk
Tagged: Chris Wallace, Los Angeles Clippers, Carmelo Anthony, Denver Nuggets, Ron Artest, Baron Davis, Marcus Camby, Mark Warkentien
Is there something wrong with Danny Ferry’s brain? Did they teach him nothing at Duke?
As they were putting some of the finishing touches on the Richard Jefferson-Yi Jianlian deal, the Nets received a call from the Cleveland Cavaliers, who offered them Wally Szczerbiak and his expiring, $13.2 million salary for Vince Carter. According to two Eastern Conference executives, who asked for anonymity so as not to spill Rod Thorn’s secrets, the Nets considered it — but not for very long.
An offer like that isn’t worth the price of the goddamned phone call, Ferry. If someone offers you a loose-shooting defensive liability for a high-volume scorer only just past his peak — even if the former has an expiring contract, while the latter needs a change of scenery — that’s an insult, not a proposition.
The only reason his fellow GMs aren’t screening calls to avoid Danny’s dumb ideas? He’s the man who traded for Ben Wallace, so only Chris Wallace offers a more likely trade outlet for rubbish.
And you wonder why Bron Bron will leave Ohio as soon as his contract is up. Actually, no you don’t — it’s really obvious.
Posted By: Anton
Categories: Trade Talk
Tagged: Ben Wallace, Chris Wallace, Danny Ferry, Duke, LeBron James, Richard Jefferson, Vince Carter, Yi Jianlian
Strap yourselves in, The Sport Count team are running down the top ten picks in this year’s done and dusted NBA Draft.
Thrills, surprises, and a couple of picks which we were sure couldn’t, wouldn’t, shouldn’t and — in the infinite wisdom of GM land — did happen.
#1 | Derrick Rose | Chicago Bulls | 3.5/5
Props to Chicago for not drafting for need and picking who they consider the best player.
Personally, I’m not all over this pick. The glut of young star point guards out there (CP3, D-Will) has put stars in a couple of GM eyes, similar to how ‘freshmen / high school big men with upside’ were a couple of years ago – Tyrus Thomas, I’m looking at you!
All in all, this could be franchise changing, and we can watch the trade moves begin. Having said that, I’m not so sure you don’t take the following big guy…
#2 | Michael Beasley | Miami Heat | 4.9/5
In case you can’t tell from the ranking, I’m pretty big on Beasley.
Pat Riley doesn’t get a 5 because he was so desperate to do something clever, like trade the pick, or wheel and deal to try to get his long-sold soul back from David Stern.
Remember last year when people were flat out drooling over Kevin Durant’s freshman Longhorns campaign? Beasley topped that turnout, but no one seemed to care. The kid turned in a college season for the ages, and he’ll fill it up and rebound for the next 12 years.
Posted By: James
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Categories: Draft Talk · Trade Talk · Whitey Watch
Tagged: Kevin McHale, Chris Wallace, Michael Beasley, Derrick Rose, Memphis Grizzlies, Kevin Love, Vince Carter, Danilo Gallinari, O.J. Mayo, Brook Lopez, D.J. Augustin, Donnie Walsh, Richard Jefferson, Jay-Z, Kevin Durant, Deron Williams, Eric Gordon, Russell Westbrook, Joe Alexander, Elgin Baylor, Raymond Felton, Sean Williams, Chris Paul, Tyrus Thomas, Bryant Reeves, Sam Presti, Yi Jianlian
