Writer’s note: this is the second of a three part series on critical offseasons for the San Antonio Spurs, Houston Rockets, and Dallas Mavericks.
The latest class of NBA bachelors looking for an expensive marriage with a new team underwhelms at best. Two of the biggest names, Baron Davis and Gilbert Arenas, appear to be off the market.
Elton Brand faces a tough decision: re-sign with the Los Angeles Clippers for about $75 million and play alongside Baron Davis, or head to Davis' former team, the Golden State Warriors, and cash an eye-popping $90 million check.
Since the possibility of Brand heading to Philadelphia seems dead, his landing spot figures to make a softer impact in a rugged Western Conference. Whether the All-Star power forward decides to stay in L.A. or pack for the Bay Area, he will anchor a roster full of questions.
The Warriors now need a starting point guard and the Clippers need a bench with more than Tim Thomas and a few prospects on it.
The teams that won this year's youngster-filled NBA Draft traded unproven freshmen to get old guys who can play. That would be Kevin McHale's Minnesota Timberwolves, who landed the most undervalued guard/forward hybrid in the NBA. Who knew that McHale would devise a way to pair Mike Miller with Kevin Love and Al Jefferson?
The Portland Trail Blazers stole the evening again and stomped all over it. The Blazers landed the draft's second or third best point guard in Jerryd Bayless, depending on who you ask, and managed to snatch explosive reserve Ike Diogu in a trade.
Most mock rookie of the year lists slot Greg Oden at the top and Spanish star Rudy Fernandez in third place. Nate McMillan gets to mesh all of that talent with All-Star Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge. Who doesn't envy the Blazers' position as a possible future powerhouse?
I can name three teams, and they hail from the same hot and humid state.
The Blazers will make a run at the seventh and eighth playoff spots next season, but they are not ready to contend. Adding Miller makes the Timberwolves a playoff prospect—but Randy Whittman's young bunch has a long route to a championship.
That arduous path includes multiple bumper-to-bumper, three-hour traffic jams, torn-up stretches of highway, faulty directions, and a half tank of gas with no filling station for 1000 miles.
A productive big man next to beastly Big Al, with Miller and Corey Brewer: So, what's the problem?
Let's just say Minnesota fans will not see a championship Love the next few seasons.
Many teams will spend this summer trying to add some veteran toughness to their soft and inexperienced rookie squads. How much can you expect a guy with one year of college to do in the NBA? What happens when 90 percent of the players on the team fit that undesirable mold?
The Supersonics happen, and while Oklahoma City fans inherit a 41-year-old team, surely they would prefer not to revisit last year's chilling, gruesome 20-62 campaign in Seattle.
4 comments Last one added 12 months ago — Leave a Comment
sam the fact checker about 1 year ago
great article...i think another need for the rockets is a backup pointguard. they dont really know if aaron brooks is ready or not to take the back up position...did you hear they really want to sign brent barry...he would help a lot...and so could corey magette...
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Robert Kleeman about 1 year ago
Sam,
thanks for the comment. I love reading comments about my work.
The Rockets may need a backup point guard but I think Rick Adelman wants to test Aaron Brooks and see where he might fit in the long term. Also, Steve Francis wants to return and team management would like to offer him a second, second chance at success with the Rockets. He botched his big opportunity last year, so let's see if he can redeem himself.
Brent Barry would help a great deal but I am still convinced he will re-sign with the Spurs, even if they land Maggette. He fits too well with the Spurs and the San Antonio community and doesn't have to worry about whether they can win a championship. I don't think a guy that entrenched in San Antonio will leave but maybe I'm wrong. I hope not.
The Rockets have yet to enter the Maggette sweepstakes, and though he could help them, I think he would fit better with the Spurs. The player the Rockets needed, Mike Miller, is off the market.
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Ekin Ozbek 12 months ago
But Mike Miller isn't a Small Forward or Shooting Guard ? I think we don't need Small Forward or Shooting Guard. Because we've already have a Small Forward, Shane Battier and a Shooting Guard Tracy McGrady. If we take Mike Miller from Minnesota, which position will he play for?
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Robert Kleeman 12 months ago
Mike Miller is a hybrid two/three.
Sure, we have McGrady and Battier, but we have no depth at those positions. Battier is NOT a scorer, he is a hard-nosed defender who can shoot at a decent, if inconsistent clip.
If Miller played for the Rockets, he would likely come off the bench, as Manu Ginobili does for most of the season, backing up either Battier or McGrady, depending on which one is out of the game.
The Rockets need a third scorer and Daryl Morey has admitted as much. I think Miller would fit perfectly in that crucial role but that's just me. Unfortunately, the Timberwolves snatched him up first.
If you have other suggestions, I'm all ears.
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