Clutch's 5-star worthy post goes to the heart of several teams' off season plans and hopes and dreams. As many players are being bandied about, I thought it would be interesting and fun to rate them -- and see how this group of fans compares them. So, my list, based on a combination of talent, appeal, and contract status: 1 Stevie 2 Artest 3 Johnson 4 Cat - Harrington - (tie) 6 Marion 7 Bender 8 Voshkul 9 Cato 10 Tinsley I think Indy's package is the best overall and the Rox narrowly behind the Suns. I also think that what players will actually be offered 'after the asking' as well as who the Magic can be dump into the deal will comprise altered 'final offers'.
Marion, at worst, should be #3. I love Cat, but Id take Marion over him every day of the week and twice on Sundays (Johnson isn't even in Marion's league).
Marion is far and away #3 over any of the others. Until he repeats this year's performance over time, Johnson is still below Cat. Cato is at least #8 over Voshkul.
Even with Cat's salary yes. If the Rockets were offered Marion for Cat and the TE, Id take that deal in a heartbeat (and again, I love Cat). Look at Marion's #s. He puts up 20 pts, 10 rebs, 2 blocks, 2 steals and shoots a good % every year and can play 3 or 4 positions. He might be the most underated star (along with Kirilenko in the NBA).
Thank you for noting that these are players being ASKED FOR not OFFERED. I'm harping like crazy in the afformentioned 5-star post that there really aren't any "packages" for Orlando to consider yet. What the article mentions is simply the first step in what will be a somewhat lengthy back and forth negotiation. Not to mention, this comes from an Orlando newspaper. I think the Magic are clearly trying to set the price for T-Mac. I DON'T think that Indiana will put Artest on the table. Especially considering what Tayshaun did to Kobe in the finals, proving that a 1-on-1 defender of Artest's magnitude is extremely important.
Marion plays team ball. He's rangey (rebounds, blocks & denies), runs the floor like a gazelle & doen't need to dominate the ball to get off. Stevie...... got to stick with ours. He disappoints but, hell, so does my fiance yet i'm still going through with it.
1 Stevie 2 Marion 3 Artest 4 Harrington 5 Cat 6 Johnson 7 Bender 8 Cato 9 Tinsley 10 Voshkul This is the order I'd put 'em in. Makes it look like I wouldn't do the Phoenix trade. Indy & Houston deals look about equal, but the Indy trade doesn't have any "star" appeal.
I have an extremely different outlook on him. I think he is overpaid and shoots <b> a lot </b>. The reason his shooting % is up is cause the Suns run and he gets plenty of dunks. He is a damn good SF, but not worth the max, no way in hell. I would take Cat or Joe Johnson at their salaries over Marion any day.
Artest is interesting. None of us knows what goes on with RA and his 'lockerroom'. Indy may view him as virtually untradable -- or he may be very much available 'in the right deal'. If Artest is available, I would want him. Or is he someone to stay away from? It's a question which transcends his on-court talent, and unanswerable outside of Indy, I'd think.
Hes averaged over 3 3PFGA per game in the last 3 years, and made 37% of them. Hes also a career 84% FT shooter. His good FG is not an aberration. He is a good shooter, although I wouldnt disagree that his FB scores helps him somewhat. Just look at the rest of his stats. He is one of the few complete players in the league. If that type of player is not worth the max, then there are only 3-4 that are. I don't think there are many teams that wouldn't hesitate to pay him the max if he was a FA.
That's way too tough to call. The players bring different talents. Hate to say it, but I rate Marion slightly above Steve and maybe even Artest. Ron plays both ends of the floor, and does so very well. Marion is expensive but he fills up a stat sheet. But I'll be loyal and make a tie between The Franchise and The Matrix. 1. Artest 2. Steve 2. (tie) Marion 4. Johnson (gonna be a stud, keeps getting better) 5. Cat 5. Harrington 7. Tinsley 8. Cato 9. Bender (injuries) 10. Voskuhl (I'd like to be loyal to a Katy product, but I just can't)
1 Artest 2 Francis 3 Marion 4 Cat - Harrington - (tie) 6 Johnson 7 Bender ------------------ 8 Cato 9 Tinsley 10 Voskuhl The problem with the Indiana trade is it's THREE small forwards. Bender is completely unproven, inconsistent, and needs more minutes to see if he'll turn out. He's been stuck behind Harrington, and would be again. Harrington is okay and has shown some flashes. I think Artest is the best player overall. Francis has been overrated his whole career. He was fairly good in the play-offs, but if that's his "A game," then get rid of him. PG's don't win championships and he is a worse SG than Cat. I like Cat. He's underrated, plays good D, and has a good salary. Cato and Voskuhl are about even. Maybe a little edge to Cato for rebounding. Tinsley has to learn to shoot, but he's a decent PG. Johnson looks better than Bender at the moment, but Bender hasn't had nearly as much opportunity. Marion is also an underrated player, but it's not going to be addition by subtraction for the Magic with that trade. Honestly, I think the Rockets are giving the best deal although I wouldn't want to give up Cat unless we're getting Gooden. Indiana is giving repetitive players and Phoenix is not giving enough.
I love the Matrix. I believe he's way overpaid for his position and abilities. With Cat's contract? I'd take SM. I would take JJ over any of the three.
Why isn't McGrady included in these lists? I'm starting to feel that McGrady is a good deal overrated, though I don't really want to take the effort to argue it. If someone wants to start a McGrady Is Overrated thread, I'll be your yes-man.
I'd go something like this: 1 Marion 2 Francis 3 Artest 4 Cat 6 Johnson 7 Cato 8 Tinsley 9 Harrington 10 Voshkul
