The latest trend of “leaving your team while you’re young” has taken Chris Paul of the New Orleans Hornets as its’ latest victim. A campaign spearheaded by LeBron James and Chris Bosh, Chris Paul is convinced that he needs to leave for another team to win because he does not have what LeBron has. Get him teamed up with Carmelo Anthony and everything is gravy. It goes without saying that Chris Paul has no leverage. The whining and bitching is disgusting, but hilarious to examine.
Although a deal is only a remote possibility, it would surely involve Billups, who plays the same position (point guard) and who is one of the Knicks’ few valued assets.“It wouldn’t make me happy,” Billups said Friday in a phone interview from his Denver home. “Because for me, at this juncture in my career, I just want to win.” At 35, with six teams and five trades on his résumé, Billups is a certified authority on change, especially the unplanned kind. He is not the sort to overreact to frothy rumors. But he has understandable concerns.
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: New CBA, old problem.
Veteran table-setter Chauncey Billups has publicly declared that he wouldn’t be ‘happy’ if the New York Knicks traded him to the New Orleans Hornets for Chris Paul.
His reason: New Orleans is a rebuilding, small market, while New York has two superstars and the resources to spend well beyond the cap on top talent.
Of course, part of the reason for the five-month long lockout was to supposedly prevent such a discrepancy in the league.
The owners supposedly wanted to create a balance between have-teams like the Bulls, Celtics, Heat, Lakers, and Mavericks with have-not teams like the Hornets.
There was to be no more of superstars holding smaller markets hostage. The Decision and Melo’ drama was supposedly a thing of the past.
Well, the owners failed to win this concession from the players.
Superstars still hold leverage. Lots of it. They continue to be the straw that stirs the drink. In the next few months, Dwight Howard and Paul will prove this in the way they depart the Magic and Hornets.
And Billups’ happiness doesn't matter.
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Donny Marshall — the former NBA player who covers the Celtics and does some color commentary for the team’s broadcasts — was on NBC’s SportsTalk today talking Rajon Rondo and saying the Celtics were open to moving Rajon Rondo more because of his personality than his game. “My sources tell me he’s started to wear his welcome out a little bit,” Marshall said.
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Where there’s smoke, there’s often fire.
That thing called the ‘World Wide Web’ has been reporting that the Boston Celtics were very willing to send Rajon Rondo to the New Orleans Hornets for Chris Paul.
This wasn’t just about the Celtics acquiring Paul. This was also about cutting ties with Rondo.
After all, Rondo’s temper has, at times, alienated coaches, teammates, and fans. There’s also a theory his lack of offensive polish will be exposed once The Big Three of Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, and Paul Pierce retire.
Unfortunately, Paul wasn’t interested in joining Boston. His heart is set on joining New York.
So the Celtics will have to deal with a jilted Rondo when training camp opens. Of course, GM Danny Ainge will blame the 24 hour news cycle, bloggers, and talk radio.
There may be some truth to Rondo getting moved. Maybe not. Either way, this is a storyline worth watching.
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Chris Paul’s agent informed New Orleans officials on Wednesday that his client will not sign a contract extension and wants to be traded to the New York Knicks, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. As soon as the NBA lifts its lockout restrictions, Hornets general manager Dell Demps wants to meet with Paul and hear that directive from him.
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: It’s a when. Not an if.
Face it: Chris Paul will leave the New Orleans Hornets as a free agent in July of 2012 to most likely sign with the New York Knicks.
Everything else is a formality. Like the 2011 season. Like turning down extension offers from the New Orleans Hornets. Like informing management he’ll leave.
To be fair, this isn’t just about small markets vs. large markets. Or, playing in the bright lights of The Big Apple.
This, in fact, is fate.
A few years ago, Paul attended Carmelo Anthony’s wedding where he toasted to playing alongside ‘Melo and Amar’e Stoudemire at Madison Square Gardens for the Knicks.
Two of the pieces are in place. Stoudemire signed with the Knicks as a free agent in the summer of 2010, while Anthony was traded to the NYC last February.
For months, they’ve been waiting for Paul to form a Big Three to rival the superstar trio in Miami.
When that happens the Knicks will take another step in the Eastern Conference. There’s no if about that.
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Owners dropped their insistence on what would have been known as the Carmelo Anthony rule, preventing teams from executing extend-and-trade deals similar to the one that sent Anthony from the Denver Nuggets to the New York Knicks last season. This means that if Dwight Howard, Deron Williams and Chris Paul want to leverage their way out of Orlando, New Jersey and New Orleans, they will still be eligible to sign three-year extensions with their current teams before being immediately traded elsewhere.
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Weren’t owners, in part, fighting to prevent superstars from leaving less desirable markets?
Wasn’t the five-month long lockout about re-establishing a balance between smaller, have-not markets and larger, have markets?
The owners conceded by failing to end the extend-and-trade clause, which means superstars and pending 2012 free agents Dwight Howard, Chris Paul, and Deron Williams have leverage over Orlando, New Orleans, and New Jersey in contract negotiations.
Howard, Paul, and Williams can sign lucrative four-year extensions for max’ money with the Magic, Hornets, and Nets as part of a trade - just like Carmelo Anthony did in 2011.
Remember Anthony held the Denver Nuggets hostage, signing an extension once he knew he'd be sent to the New York Knicks as part of a blockbuster deal.
Personally, I think Howard and Paul move on.
Howard wants a flashier, bigger city to maximize his off-court pursuits, while Paul is clearly frustrated with the Hornets' progress and wants to win now.
Williams could stay with the Nets. Ownership has deep pockets. The franchise will soon swap the swamps of Jersey for a trendy Brooklyn stadium. And the stocky point guard, if he re-signs, will be the face of a re-born franchise.
Of course, the Nets have been trending upward since Mikhail Prokhorov, also known as Russia’s richest man, bought the franchise.
If Howard and Paul do leave Orlando and New Orleans through the extend-and-trade, fans will again wonder what the lockout was really for.
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This subject is barely discussed among NBA hardcore aficionados. I once thought about the Hornet’s problem, but figured that it was too farfetched. I am sure that many fans thought about something similar, but dismissed this. As the 2010 NBA Playoffs are humming along, there are some elite stars that did not make it. One of them is fantasy statistical standout Chris Paul.
Thomas, who worked for the Knicks as president, GM or coach from December 2003 to April 2008, was reportedly involved in the recruitment of Carmelo Anthony last season. Now, he's expected to do the same with Paul, who is under contract for the 2011-2012 season but has a player option for 2012-13, during which he is scheduled to make $17.8 million. Many have speculated that New York is a potential destination for Paul. Current Knicks point guard Chauncey Billups, whom New York acquired in a three-team, 13-player deal last February, will be a free agent after 2011-2012.
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: If the New York Knicks had sense, they’d muzzle Isiah Thomas.
They don`t have any sense, so Thomas will keep talking. Loudly.
Remember, Thomas’ slash-and-burn philosophy turned the Knicks into the league‘s laughingstock, forcing Commissioner David Stern to suggest to owner James Dolan that he hire veteran executive Donnie Walsh.
Thomas got a massive cheque to leave and give his opinion when asked to by the front office.
But Thomas is friendly with Dolan, so he stayed active and involved with the Knicks even though he has a college coaching gig at Florida International University.
This clearly alienated Walsh, who is now the outgoing executive for the Knicks. He couldn’t have liked Thomas taking credit for the signing of Amar’e Stoudemire and acquisition of Carmelo Anthony.
Whoever replaces Walsh won’t be pleased to hear Thomas insinuate that he’ll have a key role in the Knicks chasing point guard Chris Paul.
Paul, of course, is a free agent in July of 2012. He’ll likely leave the small market New Orleans Hornets -even if the new collective bargaining agreement fixes the disparity between small and big market teams.
Enter New York. Paul will surely find it difficult to turn down the lure of playing in Madison Square Garden with Stoudemire and Anthony.
This has nothing to do with Thomas. However, an opportunist never turns down or passes up an opportunity.
--O. Sandor.
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“[Im] really looking forward to playing with, and mentoring, Kyrie,” said Davis in an e-mail. “Hes so talented, creative, smart, has so much potential and could become a great cornerstone of the Cavaliers franchise for many years to come. Ive been talking to him a lot this summer about NBA life, and in Cleveland, hes going to learn so much from coach [Byron] Scott, who will be a great mentor as well.”
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Kenny Smith once declared that Baron Davis should be a perennial All-NBA candidate.
The award-winning TNT broadcaster believed Davis possessed the raw size, natural skill, and god-given athleticism to consistently rank among the league’s premier table-setter.
Sadly, the commitment hasn't been there.
Too often, Davis’ poor fitness has led to injuries, which made it impossible for the former lottery pick to fulfill expectations.
He was a disappointment for the Hornets and appeared more interested in making movies than winning with the lowly Clippers.
Now there are reports he wants to, wait for it, mentor Cleveland Cavaliers’ prospect Kyrie Irving. Davis was, of course, traded to the Cavaliers last February, while the club selected Irving first overall in the NBA draft.
And the Cavaliers will have to decide how to involve Davis in helping Irving grow and develop.
--O.Sandor.
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With the Lakersshowing more signs that their basketball mileage is catching up with them, they need to inject speed into their lineup. And with Mike Brown planning to abandon most of the triangle offense, they need a solid point guard. ... [Chris Paul] has the edge over [Deron Williams] because of his youth (26) and uncanny speed.
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: With the 2012 season in limbo, many have turned to speculating on next year’s free agent class.
One rumour keeps making the rounds: Chris Paul walks on the New Orleans Hornets to sign with the Los Angeles Lakers next July.
Before you roll your eyes at the new Collective Bargaining Agreement for not fixing the migration of stars to big markets, recognize that this makes sense for Paul.
The Lakers will have financial flexibility. They have $67 million in committed salary for the 2012-13 season, but the club holds options on $25 million for Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom.
While they won’t walk on Bynum, the purple-and-gold will gladly bolt on the final $8 million on Odom’s pact. There are other ways to trim salary.
Regardless of the system - hard or soft cap - the Lakers will be able to make a competitive offer for Paul.
New coach Mike Brown will replace the Triple-Post with a drive-and-kick system that relies on the point guard penetrating and running pick-and-rolls.
Sounds perfect for Paul, right?
The New Orleans Hornets can’t afford Paul. The league owns the team and the city can't generate enough revenue to pay for a top supporting cast.
So it’s generally accepted that Paul will leave New Orleans and join Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire in New York.
Not so fast.
Last I checked the Knicks played in the Eastern Conference. Each year, Paul would have to go through Miami’s Three Kings to reach the NBA Finals.
And when the Heat have a down year, Paul would likely face 2010 MVP Derrick Rose and his upstart Chicago Bulls. The Bulls, with their air-tight defense, are no pushovers.
So Paul’s best bet at championship glory may be out west with the Lakers.
--Oly Sandor.
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"I have to do what's best for me and my family," West said. "(Chris Paul) understands it's all about winning, and as the years go, by you can't get them back. I want to win and win big, win a championship. "But you've got to find the right situation, where it's reality and not fantasy. I just want to be on that stage, have a shot at (a title) and see what happens."
HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: David West want to win big. To achieve this, West, a free agent, can't re-sign with the New Orleans Hornets.
The Hornets, even with a new Collective Bargaining Agreement, will likely stay the poster-child for have-not franchises. They will always struggle to compete.
New Orleans was poor before Hurricane Katrina. Six years later, they can't generate enough revenue to lure free agents to play with their stars.
West knows this. Most importantly, so does Chris Paul, the team's top player and franchise-face. Paul, unless the new CBA allows the Hornets to franchise tag him, will leave next July as a free agent.
He's out.
Paul's best friend in the NBA is LeBron James. In fact, James' marketing company, LMRM, represents Paul. The tiny table-setter will have learned from The Decision, and he'll only sign in a big market or with a legit contender.
Think New York. Think Orlando. Think Miami. New Orleans can't compete with these destinations.
West knows Paul will leave in one year. And West knows this means he'll have to leave, too.
--Oly Sandor.
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David West is uncertain whether his NBA future lies in New Orleans or elsewhere. Tha the New Orleans Hornets' leading scorer knew for sure on Monday was that he wasn't going to allow recent reconstructive surgery on his left knee to scare him away from free agency.
"It's about making the best decision right now for my family," the former Garner High School star said in a phone interview in which he explained his decision to opt out of the final year of his contract. "It's not taking New Orleans out of the equation, just an opportunity to sign a better deal, and an opportunity to make sure the decision I make for the next three to four years puts me in the best possible situation to win - not just winning and making the playoffs, but legitimately having a chance to compete for championships."
I've talked to people who believe that Chicago will shop Boozer, but you have to keep in mind that his stock is at an all-time low right now. He disappeared in the playoffs and there's a reason Chicago is talking about moving less than a year after signing him. It'll be tough to move him for anything of substance, especially considering how much he's owed over the next four years. With that said, if he does become available, the Orlando Magic will certainly express some level of interest.
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Carlos Boozer wouldn’t convince Dwight Howard to forgo free agency and sign a long-term extension with the Orlando Magic.
So the Magic should think carefully about trading for Boozer, and assuming the remaining 4-years and $65 million on his big-ticket contract.
Boozer would be the latest in expensive, overpaid players who couldn’t help superstar Dwight Howard achieve his goal of an NBA championship.
There was Rashard Lewis and Vince Carter. This duo were then swapped mid-season for Gilbert Arenas and Hedo Turkoglu in separate trades. All four failed miserably.
A frustrated Howard is now angling for a trade. If he doesn’t get it, the five-man will likely leave Orlando as a free agent in two seasons.
Howard would see Boozer for what he is -a talented but injury-prone player, who the Chicago Bulls dumped one season after signing him as a free agent.
It doesn't matter that Howard and Boozer are close, often hanging out together in the summer. Basketball is business. Friendship is personal.
Magic Executive Otis Smith should instead focus on Chris Paul. The New Orleans point guard, who can also become a free agent in July of 2012, is the type of talent that could convince Howard to stay.
Paul and Howard would form a terrific inside-outside duo. They’d attract other free agents, co-stars, and role players. They’d compete for years to come.
Almost every other player, including Boozer, won’t be enough for Howard to recommit to Orlando.
--Oly Sandor.
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Demps laughed at Internet speculation there has been trade talks between the Hornets and Oklahoma City Thunder regarding point guards Chris Paul and Russell Westbrook.
“(Thunder GM) Sam Presti and I, our offices used to be right next to each other, so we still text each other all the time, and I can assure you that has not been a conversation we’ve had,” Demps said, cracking a smile as he spoke to reporters.
HoopsVibe`s Very Quick Call: Losing players in free agency leads to speculation. Losing games also leads to speculation.
It`s no surprise there was speculation that the New Orleans Hornets and Oklahoma City Thunder were considering swapping Chris Paul for Russell Westbrook.
Paul can opt-out of his contract next summer. He can leave New Orleans as a free agent. The Hornets will get nothing back.
Meanwhile, Westbrook, fair or not, became the scapegoat for the Thunder losing the Western Conference Finals to the Mavericks.
Critics felt he was trying to get his offense at the expense of teammates. And critics felt his score-first mentality will make it difficult for the Thunder to take the next step.
A trade makes sense for both parties, right? Well, wrong.
Hornets GM Dell Demps denied ever having a conversation about swapping point guards with Thunder GM Sam Presti.
It`s a no to the inquiring public. The real, unofficial story could be different.
Demps and Presti came up together with the San Antonio Spurs. They were tight. And still are. Demps admitted they text each other all the time.
Know this: NBA executives are no different than you or I. They do business with executives they trust and like.
For instance, Kevin McHale, when he was with the Minnesota Timberwolves, wrapped Kevin Garnett in a bow and gave him to former teammate and friend Danny Ainge, who was and still is boss of the Boston Celtics.
For instance, Jerry West played a part in Pau Gasol leaving Memphis for Los Angeles. West was once the front office Tsar for both the Grizzlies and Lakers.
If Paul for Westbrook happens, it will be because of the relationship between Demps and Presti.
After all, what's a swap of All-Star table-setters between friends?
--Oly Sandor.
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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Last night, Kobe Bryant’s ankle looked fine. Just ask Emeka Okafor.
Yesterday, Bryant threw down an epic facial over Okafor in the Lakers’ game five win over the Hornets. It drew comparisons to another historic facial, a baptism in fact.
Years ago, Bryant packed it on the Orlando Magic’s Dwight Howard and later told reporters he was simply baptizing the five-man.
So which dunk is better: the jam on Okafor or Howard’s baptism? Watch both videos and tell us which dunk is best.
(Kobe on ‘Meka.)
(Call it The Baptism.)
--Oly Sandor.
Bryant, who is clearly the Lakers best player, was seen walking out of the arena on crutches but says it's going to take a lot for him not to play in Game 5 on Tuesday in LA. "It's going to take a lot to stop me to play," Bryant said. "We'll make sure we stay on top of it."
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Sitting isn’t an option. Kobe Bryant will play.
Bryant is the NBA’s most competitive player. He lives for the playoffs; he lives for the spotlight; and he lives for challenges like stopping New Orleans Hornets point guard Chris Paul.
Of course, the Lakers want Bryant to play –even if he isn’t at full strength. The Hornets might be okay with this, too.
In game four, Paul specifically ran pick-and-rolls because he wanted to expose an injured Bryant off the switch. For instance, he flew by Bryant and found Jarrett Jack for the game-winning basket.
The Lakers even attempted to hide Bryant on defense, rotating him in-and-out of the final moments of the game for defensive and offensive possessions.
There’s a ray of light/gold for the Lakers: they can still raise their game to another level, while the Hornets are probably playing their best basketball.
This is good for the Lakers. They must be better for the rest of the series, especially if Bryant is hobbling on one leg.
--Oly Sandor.
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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Every NBA player has their own way of preparing for the playoffs.
Some turn off their phones to limit distractions. Some go on special diets. Some get extra sleep.
And some, like the New Orleans Hornets’ Chris Paul, get a lap dance from the curvy Nicki Minaj. Watch CP3 'prepare' for a playoff battle against the Los Angeles Lakers.
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Paul's comments on Twitter indicated he felt as though his words were taken out of context.
"Come on now people," Paul tweeted, "I did 3 different interviews about the Jordan Brand Classic this morning and was asked if Michael Jordan had influence on free agent signings and I said at the end of the day guys want to win...they askd would I want to return home and I told them I'm focused here in NO and that's the future and anything can happen...Hate when people try to turn things around just to make it a story.. #slowdown."
So, does the dunk have a name? "There’s no name for it," Brown said. "I don’t know. I just switched hands. It happened so quick."
As a former Slam Dunk contest judge, what would Kobe Bryant give it? "I give it a 10, no question," Bryant said. "It was just ridiculous. His explosiveness is out of this world. I don’t know if I could do that. I did a lot of [stuff], but that ..."
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Kobe Bryant is not easily impressed.
In fact, The Black Mamba is a notoriously tough critic, especially if you play on his Los Angeles Lakers.
So his praise of Shannon Brown’s aerial antics against the New Orleans Hornets is somewhat surprising. Bryant gave Brown a perfect 10-out-of-10 for switching hands in mid-air.
Do you agree with Bryant? Is Brown`s dunk really a dime? Watch the clip and give us your score for the reserve guard`s dunk in the comment box below.
--Oly Sandor.
The New Orleans Hornets are signing Patrick Ewing Jr. from Sioux Falls Skyforce in the NBA D-League to 10-day contract after losing David West for the season.
Ewing was averaging 19.9 points and 10.6 rebounds per game with the Skyforce.
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Not sure if NOLA fans will be chanting ‘Patrick Ewing’ like the faithful at Madison Square Gardens.
This isn’t the Patrick Ewing, the Hall of Fame center with the New York Knicks. It’s his son, an athletic swing who has been on the verge of making 'The League' for some time.
Ewing Jr. had been destroying the 'D'-League before getting called-up by the New Orleans Hornets, who had an open roster spot after David West's knee injury.
He'll need to use his athleticism on defense and finish in the open court to parlay his 10-day contract into something more long-term.
Whatever happens, following Ewing Jr. will be fun.
--Oly Sandor.
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The New Orleans Hornets gutted out a 121-117 overtime victory over Utah here Thursday night, but in the process may have lost power forward David West for an extended period of time with a left knee injury.
West sustained what is being termed as “left knee trauma” on a driving slam dunk with 22.5 to go in regulation. West landed awkwardly on his left leg and his knee buckled under him. Team medical staff came out and he was eventually taken off the floor in a wheelchair.
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Who would’ve thought Thursday’s clash between the New Orleans Hornets and Utah Jazz would have everything?
There were buzzer-beaters, graceful flip-shots from ungraceful power forwards, and injuries.
Unfortunately, Emeka Okafor’s game-tying prayer off the glass and Paul Millsap’s underhand scoop were overshadowed by David West’s season ending knee injury.
West, who was 9-for-16 with 20 points, went down hard after missing a dunk attempt late in the fourth quarter. Today, reports indicate he has a torn ACL and will miss the remainder of the season and playoffs.
Fortunately, the Hornets acquired Carl Landry at the trade deadline. In the short term, the undersized Landry should replace West’s points and rebounds, and keep the club in the playoff race.
(The Hornets currently sit at seventh in the Western Conference. They have a three game edge over the ninth place Houston Rockets, with the Phoenix Suns and Utah Jazz hot on their trail.)
An interesting thought: has West played his last game for the Hornets?
He was expected to opt-out of his contract and hit free agency July 1st. Perhaps the uncertainty surrounding the new Collective Bargaining Agreement and an injury changes West’s plans.
The Hornets have had an ‘interesting’ year: there was Chris Paul’s off-season trade demand; the team got off to a blazing start under rookie coach Monty Williams; then there were the mid-season speed bumps; the NBA, of course, stepped in and bought the team, prompting rumors about their future in The Big Easy.
Now West, their second leading scorer, is done. What else can happen?
--Oly Sandor.
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Chris Paul responded to the news of Utah trading Deron Williams with several less than flattering tags directed to the Jazz."Utah traded DWill?? #EpicFail #notagoodlook #trippin #cmonson," wrote Paul.
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Actually Chris Paul, you commenting on another team and player’s business is an ‘EpicFail’.
You’d think one of the NBA’s premier point guards would know better or, at a minimum, have better things to do then going 'viral' on the Utah Jazz for dealing Deron Williams.
After all, his New Orleans Hornets are competing for a playoff spot in the competitive Western Conference and their future in The Bayou is uncertain.
Apparently this isn’t enough to occupy Paul’s time. He feels the need to speak up -in a manner befitting of a Twilight obsessed pre-teen- on the Jazz moving their franchise face.
To quote Paul: this is ‘notagoodlook’.
--Oly Sandor.
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James was seen offering a “What’s up?” nod toward the rapper. NBC-6s Adam Kuperstein approached Lil Wayne, an AmericanAirlines Arena regular, to ask if he and James now were cool and received a response of, “Oh, yeah, yeah.”
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Peace has prevailed.
Rapper Lil’ Wayne has squashed his beef with Miami Heat superstars LeBron James and Dwyane Wade. Remember, Wayne felt slighted because James and Wade ignored him when he was sitting courtside at a recent game between the Heat and New Orleans Hornets.
Everything is ‘cool’, though. It was all a misunderstanding. No word on whether the three are expecting the Noble Peace Prize for their efforts.
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HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: The smile or the step-back?
Yesterday, Rudy Gay and David West each pulled off amazing buzzer-beaters for the Memphis Grizzlies and New Orleans Hornets. But which was better?
Watch both shots and get at us with thoughts on the best game-winner in the comment box below.
(Rudy Gay smiles after hitting this fade-away on Julian Wright and the Raptors.)
(David West converts the step-back prayer against the OKC Thunder.)
--Oly Sandor.
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But they couldn’t get along, and Colangelo moved Jack to New Orleans last month. Very rarely are general managers so brutally frank about player relationships. We credit Colangelo for detailing why he wanted to trade the productive Jack — because he was the most marketable commodity. Calderon is a liability defensively and is a better 3- point shooter than 2-point shooter. “We came to the conclusion last year that one of either Jose or Jarrett had to go,’’ Colangelo said. “And I made that proclamation that I would trade one of the two, if not both.
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Give Bryan Colangelo his due. If something doesn’t work, he moves on.
For instance, Jose Calderon and Jarrett Jack couldn’t share point guard duties for his Toronto Raptors, so he dealt Jack.
It didn’t matter that Colangelo signed Jack to a four year, $20 million contract in July of 2009. And it didn’t matter that The Former Golden Boy of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment hailed Calderon and Jack as a formidable combo at the one-spot.
It wasn’t working. And Jack was recently dealt to the New Orleans Hornets.
Fair enough. However, Colangelo discussing the situation with reporters isn’t good.
Why open up about Calderon and Jack’s relationship weeks after cutting ties with his former back-up point guard?
Last summer Colangelo exchanged public barbs with Chris Bosh and Hedo Turkoglu, even though both had left the Raptors.
Part of this is doing business in a media center like Toronto. There are three national sports carriers, talk radio stations, and five major newspapers in the city.
Part of this is loose lips. Colangelo would be wise to remember the NBA is small. Players talk. And he doesn’t want to give the talent another reason not to sign in Toronto.
Colangelo should move players. And then keep quiet.
--Oly Sandor.
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The New Orleans Hornets and Toronto Raptors are in serious discussions on a five-player trade that would send Peja Stojakovic and Jerryd Bayless to the Raptors for Jarrett Jack and David Anderson and Marcus Banks, a source told ESPN.com Saturday.
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: This swap would be a win-win for both parties.
The rebuilding Toronto Raptors would attain Peja Stojakovic’s expiring contract and developing piece Jerryd Bayless, while the New Orleans Hornets would add an experienced combo guard in Jarrett Jack.
The deal was nearly made official yesterday; however, the Raptors and Hornets were still ironing out last minute details, specifically the amount of cash that would change hands.
Here’s the key point: the Raptors are starting over, the Hornets, after some mediocre seasons, are back.
After losing Chris Bosh in The Great Free Agent Chase of 2010 to the Miami Heat, The Big Smoke is in makeover mode. They want financial flexibility, young talent, and draft picks.
Enter Stojakovic and Bayless. The Euro sharpshooter is in the last year of a multi-year pact; Bayless is a 22 year old with upside.
Meanwhile, New Orleans –under rookie coach Monty Williams’ defensive system- is highly competitive. Jack, who can play both guard spots, will bolster their bench.
Expect the Georgia Tech grad to relieve superstar Chris Paul and spell Marco Bellinelli at the two-spot.
Most importantly, this deal would show Chris Paul that the Hornets want to win.
Expect Toronto and New Orleans to continue talking. There are too many benefits not to.
--Oly Sandor.
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“For most guys, when you are traded to a team that was successful, it’s hard to fit in right away,” Williams told SN. “The dynamic of fitting in, it’s not always right there and it’s probably not fair to Emeka to just expect him to come in and fit in right away. Emeka will have to find ways to be efficient. I think we have done some things—added some shooters—who will make things easier on Emeka. Now that he is adjusted, I think he is going to have a very good year.”
Link
HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Monty Williams knows he must get more from Emeka Okafor.
What other option does the first year sideline boss have?
After all, the New Orleans Hornets have been unsuccessful in their attempts to move the struggling post. In these dire economic times, no team would consider taking the remaining four years and $51 million on Okafor’s contract.
The Hornets reportedly resorted to packaging his big ticket with superstar Chris Paul. If a team wanted CP3, they had to jump on Okafor’s grenade of a contract.
No team would take the hit -even if came with a superstar point guard. This is no longer an option because Williams and GM Dell Demps have taken Paul off the trading block.
Bottom line: Okafor, not Williams, is responsible for righting his career. Instead of sitting out training camp and practices with what some deemed as minor injuries, he could endear himself to the organization by managing pain.
So Okafor, Williams, and the Hornets are together for the long haul. All parties must make it work.
--Oly Sandor.
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"You can say it has settled down now, but it was settled before that," Williams told Sporting News. "For me, it was never an issue. Chris never said anything about a trade. He never asked for a trade. He wants us to be a better team, but we all want that and Dell [Demps] and I are going to do all that we can to make it a better team. We're going to make this a better team with Chris here."
Link
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Credit rookie coach Monty Williams for getting one thing: Chris Paul is his and the New Orleans Hornets’ meal ticket.
Maybe Paul requested a trade. Maybe not. Regardless, Williams won’t throw his best player under the preverbal bus and into the media firestorm.
According to Williams, Paul doesn’t want a trade, but does want the team to improve. Translation: ownership better splurge on some high-priced talent or CP3 bolts as a free agent in 2012.
For that to happen, George Shinn - the club’s owner and the NBA's most dysfunctional rich old guy other than the Clippers’ Donald Sterling and Knicks’ James Dolan – must finally sell the Hornets to Louisiana billionaire Gary Chouest.
Chouest loves hoops. Chouest is also filthy rich and will spend some of his considerable shipping empire on bringing a contender to The Bayou.
So Williams is right to protect Paul. Perhaps the organization eventually appeases him. However, this doesn't happen unless a change in ownership occurs.
--Oly Sandor.
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Stefan Bondy: Asked eva longoria if tony parker wants to play in new york: her answer, "yes"
HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: No surprise here.
The Desperate Housewife wants hubby Tony Parker to take his talent to the media capital of the world, New York City. So Parker - a free agent at season's end - could be on the move.
The San Antonio Spurs have young George Hill waiting in the wings at point guard. And Manu Ginobili found his game when Parker was injured during the latter months of the 2010 regular season.
A move to New York is slightly more complicated than Mr. and Mrs. Eva Longoria realize, though.
The Knicks have their eyes on prying superstar Chris Paul from the New Orleans Hornets. However, the Knicks could add Paul and Parker.
Coach Mike D'Antoni would love the scoring opportunities Paul and Parker would collectively create, and he wouldn't worry about their lack of size on defense.
This isn't such a crazy idea. Remember, Coach Gregg Popovich once considered moving Parker to the two-spot when the Spurs were chasing free agent point guard Jason Kidd.
Now Kidd is bigger than Paul and Parker. He can easily defend opposing two-guards. But Paul and Parker would compensate for their smaller stature by pressuring the ball full court, and they would be protected in D'Antoni's up-tempo system.
Again, it's no surprise Parker has interest in New York. The surprise could be having Paul as his backcourt mate.
--Oly Sandor.
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Four NBA teams have agreed to a five-player trade that will send Trevor Ariza to the New Orlean Hornets and Darren Collison to the Indiana Pacers, two league sources said.
In the proposed deal, the Houston Rockets will send Ariza to the Hornets, who in turn will send Collison and James Posey to the Pacers. The Pacers will send Troy Murphy to the New Jersey Nets. And the Nets will send Courtney Lee to the Rockets.
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Four teams with different agendas have connected for an end of summer trade to address their needs before the 2011 season begins.
The winner in this blockbuster is the Indiana Pacers. While they gave up Murphy’s expiring contract and took back an over-the-hill/overpaid Posey, they also got a budding table-setter in Collison.
The second year point guard is lightning quick and excelled when starting for the injured Paul. Look for Collison to star in Indiana next to Danny Granger, Roy Hibbert, and Lance Stephenson.
By swapping Ariza for Lee, the Houston Rockets gain cap relief. This summer, the Rockets spent $87 million to re-sign Luis Scola and Kyle Lowry, while also adding Brad Miller.
Ariza, the Rockets' prize free agent signing of 2009, became expendable after the deadline day acquisition of Kevin Martin from the Sacramento Kings.
Murphy will provide depth and experience to a young New Jersey Nets frontcourt. Best of all, his deal comes off the books at year’s end, which makes him an attractive trading chip.
The loser in this trade has to be the New Orleans Hornets. Yes, Ariza is a fine player. And yes, today they’re a marginally better team.
With this trade, the organization seems to think they have a shot at re-signing Paul. Let’s be real: they have zero shot. None.
Add up small market New Orleans, Hurricane Katrina, the oil spill in the Gulf Coast, and owner George Shinn’s thriftiness and the club can’t generate enough revenue to sign a star-studded supporting cast for Paul.
I know this. You know this. Paul knows this.
He’s gone when his contract expires at the end of 2012. There’s no chance of an extension.
Two summers from now, Paul will walk on the Hornets like Kaiser Soze walked on the police station in The Usual Suspects. Unlike the finish of this classic flick, there will be no suspense or surprise when CP3 leaves.
We know what’s coming. This is expected. Like Lindsay Lohan going to jail. Like the sun rising. Or, in my case being from Vancouver, like the rain falling.
So why not trade Paul and rebuild around Collison?
After all, Ariza, while a fine player, won’t appease Paul. He wants LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and Miami. He wants Amar’e Stoudemire and (possibly) Carmelo Anthony in New York.
He doesn't want New Orleans. In fact, he won’t re-up with the Hornets regardless of who they sign or trade for.
Rather than face reality, Hornets management is delusional, aiming to please the snooty super model girlfriend (Paul) who is bidding her time until she can break up with them.
Instead of waiting for the inevitable, the club should trade Paul while his market value is relatively high, get back draft picks, expiring contracts, and blue-chip prospects, and make Collison the starter.
It seems New Orleans’ blunder is Indiana’s victory.
--Oly Sandor.
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LeBron James continues to put his fingerprints on the NBA's most-hyped offseason in history. Brian Windhorst of the Cleveland Plain Dealer wrote on his Twitter page Saturday that James suggested that Hornets point guard Chris Paul request a trade.
However, Windhorst added that James is urging Paul to stay in the Western Conference to make for a better rivalry.
HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: LeBron James is surely involved in Chris Paul's trade request.
First, James and Paul are tight. They're boys. Their boys are boys. They've surely discussed each other's situations.
Second, Paul is represented to some degree by an agency that James owns. James' business team are Paul's business team.
So they have a personal and business relationship. The lines of that relationship are blurred.
However, James shouldn't be blamed for Paul's trade request. This storm has been brewing for some time.
New Orleans is a small market, and lacks the revenue and resources to provide Paul with a reasonable supporting cast. They need time, a new owner, and a revamped Collective Bargaining Agreement to compete.
Paul and the Hornets are aware of the team's current predicament. They clashed over the firing of Coach Byron Scott. And they understand young table-setter Darren Collison is waiting in the wings.
Add it all up and a trade request was inevitable. James probably just encouraged and supported Paul to take his wishes public.
--Oly Sandor.
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The Knicks are willing to trade anyone aside from newly-signed forward Amar'e Stoudemire for Hornets guard Chris Paul, according to a league source.
Paul is scheduled to meet with New Orleans general manager Dell Demps, head coach Monty Williams and president Hugh Weber on Monday.
"Amar'e won't be traded, but everyone else is available," the executive said of New York.
According to a source with knowledge of his plan, Chris Paul has requested that the Hornets trade him to the Knicks, Magic or Lakers before the season begins.
"He wants out," the source told Ken Berger of CBS Sports. "He wants to play with another superstar. He wants to follow LeBron's model of teaming up with other great players."
Chris Paul as a Charlotte Bobcat isn't crazy. I'm told it's a twinkle in the eyes of this team's decision-makers. There are a handful of places Paul would want to relocate in a trade, and Charlotte - near his suburban Winston-Salem home and possessing a Hall-of-Fame coach - should be among the viable candidates.
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: It’s a nice thought. Really, it is.
Superstar gets traded to his hometown. Superstar finds mentors in a Hall of Fame coach and retired superstar turned owner. Hall of Fame coach and retired superstar turned owner take the current superstar under their wing. The current superstar then leads his hometown to greatness.
Now for reality.
Chris Paul is not leaving small market New Orleans for small market Charlotte. It doesn’t matter that the Bobcats play near his home in Winston-Salem. Or that Larry Brown, for now, runs the sideline. Or that Michael Jordan is the majority owner.
Paul is about one thing: winning.
The Bobcats would be too similar to New Orleans. They wouldn’t generate enough revenue to pay top talent and compete for a championship in the polarized, have-have not world of the NBA.
Paul knows this, so he’ll lobby for a trade to a major market like New York, New Jersey, or Miami. If his efforts for a trade fail, he’ll play out his contract and pick his new club as an unrestricted free agent in 2012.
And that – hometown or not – won’t be Charlotte.
--Oly Sandor.
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LeBron James is planning to announce the team with which he will sign during a one-hour special on ESPN Thursday night, ESPN The Magazine's Chris Broussard has learned through independent sources.
ESPN would only confirm that active discussions for the special are ongoing. But sources tell Broussard that representatives for James contacted the network, proposing that James makes his announcement during a 9 p.m. ET special.
HoopsVibe`s Very Quick Call: Can you see the light at the end of the tunnel?
After years of speculation, gossip, drama, innuendo, and (frankly) nonsense, LeBron James will finally enlighten us with a one hour ESPN special announcing where he’ll play next.
Thank you. Thank you so very much LeBron.
Expect the Cleveland Cavaliers to win these bizarre sweepstakes. Cleveland is James’ home. They can offer the most money and longest term.
Owner Dan Gilbert has likely promised to acquire Chris Paul - James’ best friend in the NBA - from the New Orleans Hornets. It’s one reason Gilbert hired Scott, the former sideline boss with Paul`s Hornets.
Most importantly, come Thursday James will have made his decision and we can get on with our lives.
-- Oly Sandor.
Where do you see King James signing? Get at us HoopsVibe News in the comment box with your prediction on Thursday night.
Hornets point guard Chris Paul could become the NBA's biggest storyline once this summer's big free agents sign contracts.
Paul has said that he loves New Orleans, but he wants to see the team start to make improvements to their roster. He's impatient about contending for a title right now.
"(Paul's frustration) is very real, very real," a source close to Paul told FanHouse. "He doesn't see them putting a (championship-caliber) team together."
Byron Scott has reached agreement on a three-year contract to become the Cleveland Cavaliers’ new coach, league sources told Yahoo! Sports. The deal is expected to be finalized on Thursday.
HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: It's a big announcement, but not the one Cleveland Cavalier fans were hoping for.
Word is Cleveland owner and de facto GM Dan Gilbert will introduce Byron Scott as his bench-boss today, and the former sharpshooter is apparently excited to coach the Cavaliers -even if you-know-who, LeBron James, doesn't re-sign.
And perhaps he's right.
With James, Scott has a ready-built contender on his hand. Without him, Scott can take his time to reshape the roster -like he did with the New Jersey Nets and New Orleans Hornets.
Either way, in Gilbert, Scott has the rare owner willing to spend to compete. This is what drew him to the job.
Now Scott must wait to see how the situation unfolds in Cleveland.
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The Washington Wizards spoke with the Orlando Magic recently about a potential swap of Gilbert Arenas for Vince Carter, according to a league source with knowledge of the situation.
HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: It's not happening.
Orlando Magic GM Otis Smith is close friends with Gilbert Arenas, and he advised the 'sharpshooter' during his recent issues stemming from bringing guns into the Washington Wizards' locker room.
However, Smith doesn't want to mix their personal and professional relationship. This is wise. After all, Carter's contract is only guaranteed for one season. Then his $17 million salary comes off the books, while Arenas is still owed over $80 million.
Reports have Smith dangling Carter's expiring contract in front of the cash-strapped New Orleans Hornets. And he wants to get back superstar point guard Chris Paul.
Also, new Wizards owner Ted Leonsis is pushing the organization and fans to re-embrace Arenas. The businessman who brought much life to a morbid Capitals franchise is excited about pairing Arenas with first overall pick John Wall.
An interesting idea, however, The Hibachi and VC aren't trading places.
Got thoughts on Arenas for Carter?
There have been rumors that the Nets might pursue point guard Chris Paul through a trade. Since they don't seem to be all that high on any of the players they are likely to get with the No. 3 pick, such as Georgia Tech`s Derrick Favors, Kentucky's DeMarcus Cousins or Syracuse`s Wes Johnson, they could trade the pick to get an established player.
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: They’ve been making nice.
Since being named coach of the New Jersey Nets, Avery Johnson and Devin Harris have praised each other publicly. Johnson has insisted he’s proud of Harris’ development, while Harris has insisted his development is because of Johnson’s teachings.
Can you feel the love?
Such a dog-and-pony show is necessary because these two had a tumultuous run together with the Dallas Mavericks.
Johnson was coaching a Maverick team that was expected to win a championship. As a former point guard he was particularly hard on Harris, a young table-setter with heaps of potential.
Something was off, though. Johnson quickly lost faith in Harris and signed off on a controversial trade that sent him to, ironically, the Nets for Jason Kidd.
But Kidd couldn’t put Dallas over the top. Johnson was promptly fired. Harris made the All-Star team in 2009, but struggled with injuries in 2010.
Yet, they are back together, insisting fences have been mended and Kumbaya has been sung. For now.
Reports indicate the Nets are dangling their 2010 draft pick in hopes of plucking Chris Paul from the New Orleans Hornets. CP3 heading to The Swamps of Jersey/Borough of Brooklyn makes sense for three reasons:
First, New Orleans is a struggling market. With second year point guard Darren Collison in the wings, they could swap Paul and his max deal for cheap talent.
Second, New Jersey is now a have-market. New owner Mikhail Prokhorov - also known as Russia’s richest man with a net worth of $18 billion - wants to make headlines this off-season. Acquiring Paul, who is arguably the game’s best point guard when fit and healthy, would achieve this end.
Third, and most importantly, Paul is tight with LeBron James, the jewel of the 2010 free agent class. And Prokhorov would surely use Paul and rapper/minority owner Jay-Z to recruit James to the East Coast.
So the Nets are looking to upgrade the one-spot. If Paul is acquired, Harris would surely be dealt.
Before dismissing this rumor remember that Nets’ senior executive Rod Thorn admitted to reporters that Harris and center Brook Lopez do not have untouchable status and could be moved.
Maybe Harris` lovefest with Johnson shouldn`t be believed. And maybe New Jersey trades him.
Got thoughts? Well, get at us in the comment box.
Tom Izzo is staying at Michigan State, turning down a chance to coach the Cleveland Cavaliers and and perhaps LeBron James.
"I'm pleased to say I am here for life at Michigan State," Izzo said in a statement released by the school on Tuesday night.
HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Tom Izzo made the right decision -not just for himself, but also for the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The NBA is an adjustment. The game is different; the players are millionaire businessmen not teenagers. And many great college coaches have failed in the pros: John Calipari, Mike Montgomery, Rick Pitino and Jerry Tarkanian.
Then there was the tiny issue of LeBron James' pending free agency. Izzo would be in quite the quagmire if he accepted the Cavaliers job and James signed elsewhere.
In the end, the risk was too great. So Izzo decided to stay with Michigan State and become an all-time great in the college ranks.
Meanwhile, Cleveland will continue searching for a sideline boss. Byron Scott is the frontrunner; however, the former Hornets coach wants to replace Phil Jackson in LA -if the Zen-Master leaves.
Mike Woodson, who was recently fired by the Atlanta Hawks, is also under consideration. And this is where the musical chairs could occur. Suppose Cleveland hires Woodson and James leaves. The Cavaliers could replace James with Joe Johnson, another superstar free agent who Woodson coached in Atlanta.
The next few months will be interesting in Ohio and throughout the NBA.
Got thoughts on this?
"Speaking of Collison, the Pacers have reached out to New Orleans about the former UCLA point guard."
HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Indiana and New Orleans are two of the NBA’s smallest markets. Both have limited budgets. Yet, both are desperate to upgrade their roster.
And this is Corporal/Commissioner David Stern’s post recession problem: his league has become increasingly fractured and polarized into have and have-not franchises.
The have franchises – think Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Los Angeles, and New York – will spend their summer trying to land big-ticket free agents.
No expense will be spared. Mayors, politicians, celebrities, rap icons and even a president have tried wooing the game’s elite player to their club of choice
The have-not franchises – think Indiana, Minnesota, New Orleans, Milwaukee, and Memphis – will spend their summer scheming up creative and cost-effective ways to compete.
With this in mind, a Darren Collison deal would make some sense for the Pacers and Hornets.
Larry Bird’s club has to get better at point guard. TJ Ford – and his $8 million dollar salary – isn’t the answer. And Jamaal Tinsley’s $5 million pact is still on the books, even though he was released years ago.
Collison, a lightning quick table-setter, filled in admirably for injured superstar Chris Paul. Best of all, the UCLA alum has three years remaining on his rookie pact.
Meanwhile, reports that the Hornets and Paul were considering parting ways are false. Team and player are apparently committed to each other and sticking together.
However, New Orleans was always a poorer NBA market. Then Hurricane Katrina hit. Then The Great Recession came. And now there’s the Gulf Coast oil spill.
All contributed to the city’s struggling economy, which means there’s less disposable income for citizens to spend on disposable goods –like NBA tickets and luxury boxes.
So the Hornets can't generate the revenue to sign high or even medium priced free agents. Their best and only option this summer is trading the young and inexpensive Collison for other young, and inexpensive players.
Enter Indiana.
They've got lockdown defender Dahntay Jones, athletic swing Brandon Rush, and blue-collar bruiser Tyler Hansbrough.
All are young. All are cheap. And all could play a role in The Bayou. Perhaps, Bird, Indiana's head suit, lets New Orleans pick two of these three players.
That said, nothing is imminent between the Pacers and Hornets. Expect them to keep talking. As mentioned, in today’s NBA, their options are limited.
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