Carlos Boozer told the Cavaliers he wanted to opt out of his contract so he can sign a long-term deal with the team. The Cavaliers got Punk'd while Boozer ran off to Utah.
Elton Brand, in a similar situation, made it clear he was staying with the Clippers. He even told executives to land Baron Davis.
The Clippers were on their way to becoming a top team in the West. All of a sudden, he bolted off to the 76ers.
The deal was for $82 million for 5 years. I do not blame him for taking that money, but the Clippers offered him $80 million and also 5 years. This tells us it had nothing to do with the money.
His agent said Brand wanted to play in the East and for a contender. In other words, he said Brand could not handle the West competition.
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The Clippers were on their way to have the best possible off-season, but the Michael Olowokandi curse came into effect. Not only did they lose Brand, but also Corey Maggette left to Golden State.
What do the Clippers do now?
Davis is a good honest man, unlike Brand (no offense), so he will stick around. Josh Smith is the only hope for the Clippers to be an effective team next season. They have the money.
He could push them to be a playoff team. Davis, Mobley (or Gordon), Thornton, Smith, and Kaman would not be a bad lineup.
How will the 76ers do?
Well, this makes them the best team in the East. Yes, over the Celtics. The Sixers competed with the highest level of competition and even beat the Celts.
They have an athletic line up that is very well balanced.
Only problem was they had no low-post star. Brand is that man.
They can beat you many different ways. They also are a deep team now.
They will also sign some other free agents to fill up the roster like a Shaun Livingston.
Brand may get to the finals, but will he be able to sleep at night?
Yeah, but the Clippers front office won't be able to.
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4 months ago
Haha. I forgot all about the Boozer fiasco. Great comparison.
4 months ago
The Sixers are going to be a very good team, but they aren't better than the Celtics next year unless they add a good outside shooter off the bench to help spread the floor. They are going to make the second round at least and have a good chance of making it to the east finals.
4 months ago
From what I understand, Boozer would have had to stay in Cleveland for very little money if the Cavs were mean about it while it was completely Brand's option to opt out of his contract. Therefore, comparing Brand to Boozer is not fair at all. If it was'nt for the Cavs being nice, Boozer would have had to play an extra year for very little money. The Cavs did Boozer a favor and he backstabbed them. Brand on the other hand had no moral obligation to stay with the Clips except for saying he intended to stay which doesn't mean anything. Therefore you can't compare the two because Boozer's was much worse and I don't know understand why noone points this out.
4 months ago
No, you're wrong. Carlos Boozer wasn't the one who opted out of his contract with the Cavs. The Cavs themselves held all the cards, and Boozer lied to them to make the team decline the option, making Loozer the free agent.
This story isn't nearly half as bad as the Boozer fiasco. But of course, since a big market team like the Clippers are involved, it's a national firestorm
http://mvn.com/nba-cavaliers/2008/07/11/save-it-clipper-fan-elton-brand-is-no-carlos-the-jackal/
4 months ago
True team players would fulfill their contracts. They would take the player option while working on a long-term deal. There's a reason they opt out. To make more money! If Brand did indeed take essentially the same money with the Sixers he could have received with the Clippers, he is to blame. However, remember that when a free agent walks, a franchise gets its wings. Or at least an opportunity to build something better. If Brand didn't want to be a Clipper, let him go. That's money they can spend elsewhere.
As for Baron Davis, how can you call him an honest man? He did the exact same thing that Brand did! He opted out of his contract and signed with another team. As far as I know, he didn't promise anything to the Warriors but that doesn't really mean anything. Davis still declined the player option and walked out. That he went to your team doesn't change the circumstances.
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