>Joe Johnson wanted for theft
In case you’re like me and avoid the contract numbers, Joe Johnson left the 2010 free agency bonanza with the most money. The Atlanta Hawks will give him a reported $120 million for the next 6 years. That’s around $10 million less than Dwayne Wade and LeBron James. And don’t forget they fired their coach, the one who improved Atlanta’s record every year he coached them.
This has to be one of the worst contracts and worst front offices in professional sports. Not that this needs validation, but here’s some career playoff stats:
Dwayne Wade: 26.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 6 apg, 1.65 spg (2010 playoff low in points- 26)
Joe Johnson: 16.3 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 3.6 apg, .9 spg (2010 playoff low in points – 8 twice)
Who is Johnson’s agent? I want him to help me close on my next house.
>Chicago no slouch in the East
It seems like despite the Heat’s acquisitions, nobody wants to sleep on the Chicago Bulls. They have one of the best scoring point guards in the league, an energetic 6’11” center, and now a legit power forward and a sharp-shooter. How must Deron Williams feel after Boozer and Kyle Korver fled Salt Lake City to join forces with Rose and Noah? When will his contract expire because I don’t see him in a Jazz uniform much longer.
Tom Thibodeau, the Celtics former defensive mastermind, will take the helm from Vinny Del Negro. The offensive weapons seem to be plentiful for Thibodeau, but can he recreate the defensive tenacity that made the Celtics so playoff-immortal?
Boozer seems like a better fit than Chris Bosh would have been; Boozer likes to play with his back-to-the basket and will create some space for a driving Rose and quick kick-outs for a Korver or Deng. Though I haven’t seen him play much since college, many NBA analysts are high on Taj Gibson and his possible rise as a second or third scoring option.
>LeBron James would be a great professional wrestler
People ask every once in a while which athlete would be the best at crossing over to another sport. A common answer is LeBron James to football. He was, after all, an all-state pick in high school. But since James’ new favorite term is “it’s business,” what about LeBron James to the WWE?
Come on – the spectacle Thursday night was something that I’m sure made Vince McMahon wonder, “Hey! He’s stealing my ideas!” What better industry to be a part of than the narcissistic adventures of bikini-brief clad, bodybuilding, novice actors?
I think LeBron practiced his speeches so well he started to believe them himself, the same way these wrestlers eventually morph into their characters in their real-lives. Has anyone reminded him that despite believing that Cleveland couldn’t put together a good supporting cast, they were the best team the past two seasons with over 60 wins in each?
He even referred to himself in the third person several times. See – just like The Rock used to do! He’s perfect for a WWE run. Just as in wrestling, businesses have to reinvent themselves in order to remain appealing.
Just look at these two videos and see if you can tell which is associated with the NBA and which with professional wrestling (Press play for both videos at the same time and mute them. I gaurantee you’ll chuckle):
I never thought a twitter post announcing a contract would come off as taking the higher ground, but thank you Kevin Durant for showing us what professionalism means in the 21st century!
>Should loyalty matter?
For a moment , try to forget how James decided to let Cleveland know he was leaving. The thing I’m most confused about is loyalty in sports. Dirk Nowitzki decided to re-sign with the Dallas Mavericks. He stayed loyal to his organization and will remain the first scoring option. James spurned loyalty to possibly become Wade’s Magic Johnson. Who has the better chance at titles?
Where do we stand as a fan base? Dirk probably won’t even bring the Finals back to Dallas. James on the other hand will undoubtedly reach the Finals multiple times in the next six years.
I think it’s safe to say most felt it was Nowitzki who needed to put loyalty aside and go somewhere to be the no. 2 guy, not James. Yet everyone wants to throw James under the bus and claim he isn’t competitive. Is this solely about who tries to do it alone, or who tries to create their best path to a championship?
Who made the better basketball decision? Let’s hear it from the ‘Pine.’
Rey —
I didn’t even realize the Bulls signed Korver until I read your post … thanks! Who are you considering to be the Bulls “energetic 6’11” center”??
To answer your overarching question at the end … Lebron made the better decision vs Nowitzki, who will likely be frustrated til the end of his career and watching the NBA finals every year. Lebron clearly will play in the finals and POSSIBLY win a couple rings. The thing is, Lebron and his Miami teammates just need to quit talking about it. Shut up and play ball. Quit trying to justify the recent moves.
Joakim Noah. You don’t consider him to be “energetic?” I just think he gets up and down the floor for his size really well, kind of a nice fit for a guy like Derrick Rose. Maybe I’m not watching hard enough.
Yeah – those 3 really aren’t helping their cause by doing these interviews. It’s funny how LeBron is bashed for his lack of loyalty yet no one thinks Dirk should have remained so loyal. Gotta love sports…
Rey —
My bad … he’s certainly energetic, but when you said 6’11”, I didn’t realize Noah was that tall. So I thought maybe they acquired someone else. I thought Noah was like 6’9″ tops.
I was surprised that he was that tall, too. Had to look it up. LIke I said – for his size (because he is also somewhat bulky) he runs/moves amazingly well to me.
Wally – do you still think the Bulls should go after Redick if they’ve signed Korver?
Rey —
Good question … I was kinda wondering that myself after finding out they got Korver. But I’ll still say “yes” and apparently Bulls management is thinking the same thing. All teams can use more than 1 three point threat and we already know that outside shooting has been one of the Bulls’ weaknesses. I look at the great Bulls teams from the past during thir Jordan dynasty years and what do we find on those rosters? Some good long range shooting tandems: BJ Armstrong and John Paxson. Craig Hodges and John Paxson. Toni Kukoc and Steve Kerr. So, yes, i think they should pursue JJ Redick.
Overall, I think the success of the Bulls next season … to be REAL Eastern Conference contenders … will hinge greatly on the health of Luol Deng. Similarly but to lesser extent, he’s been to the Bulls what Yao Ming has been to Houston: a huge part of the starting line-up but missing huge parts of the season with injuries.
Agreed. I haven’t seen Korver play nearly as much as Redick, but at least JJ can now put the ball on the floor and make good passes through traffic as well.
Vegas high on the Bulls too. After post-James show, the new odds showed them as one of the favorites.
HOLY CRAP!
I just now watched the two videos. 20 years from now, those guys are going to look back on this stuff and cringe. If that was me on that stage, Ab and Ceil would move to another state and change their names.
Korver and Reddick would be nice with Boozer and Rose. Korver struggles defending his shadow.
At times in the Celtics/Magic series, I thought Reddick was the best player on the floor for the Magic. I am a little surprised they are willing to let him walk.
Korver and Reddick would be big pick-ups for the Bulls, who I give credit for having a Plan B after LeBron made the “decision”.
Reynell, I agree with you.. What has LeBron done? I am with Dan Gilbert on the Celtics/Cavaliers series – I really thought LeBron quit in that series. Maybe he was hurt, but I was really shocked on how he was really unwilling to step up and really take over when they needed him too.
Did anyone else see Stan Van Gundy’s comment on Chris Bosh? He referred to him as a lap dog. Ouch!
It is really interesting to see how NBA analysts are already listing the Heat as the favorite to represent the East in the Finals next year. Don’t you have to fill out the rest of the roster? Show me who is going to play the other two positions and then maybe I will start to think they are the favorite.
Smitty – With you on the Heat. They have no center. Who guards Howard? Bynum? I don’t see where the Fisher signing will help except for outside shooting. He couldn’t defend anybody in the playoffs.
Smitty —
Redick might be retained by Orlando … they have an opportunity to match the Bulls offer.
I can’t agree more on the backlash against the Heat and the 3 players with that stage show and the fireworks. Geeez … what a bunch of crap! I think ya need to win a title before you can even think about something like that.
ESPN is reporting that the Heat are interested in signing Jon Scheyer. DOH! This is going to kill me.
I heard that about Scheyer about because he’s playing well for the Heat’s summer league team. Who could possibly be on that roster with Scheyer???
Listen to how Dan LeBatard opened his radio show in Miami after the signing of LeBron, DWade and Bosh. It’s a bit vulgar, but I died laughing. Most priceless quote from the whole thing: “Run the pioint night. One lucky fan gets to run the point every night and keep the jersey. It helps with the salary cap!” “Our half-full sports bar exploded in joy.” Hilarious.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZr2qOXQJ4w&feature=player_embedded#!