RE: Gasol out and Swift being injured. What is interesting is that the team isnt doing too bad with the both of them out. As pointed out above, Cardinal and Battier are holding down the fort quite well at the forward spots and Wright is rebounding very well. These injuries more than anything seem to be slowly validating the Cardinal signing. Although I still feel he is way over paid. I dont think the Gasol situation will impact Swift all that much. In fact more than anything what we are seeing is the team with that depth doesnt need Swift so more than anything I could see him walking versus the team adding another 8M to their already outrageous payroll. As for Atlanta and New Orleans, the two teams with the most cap room this summer. Atlanta flirted with Swift last year but never made an offer. Atlanta seems more interested in a TRUE center like Dalembert. I fully expect Atlanta to make a BIG offer to Dalembert and REALLY force the 76ers hand with him. Atlanta has Harrington at the 4 and Smith at the 3 right now. They dont need another PF in Swift. New Orleans is interesting. While Swift IS from Lousiana I still think it is iffy he goes to the Hornets. While the Hornets would like to add talent, they have a notoriously cheap owner. So while the Hornets have the resources to offer Swift a big deal, I am not so sure they do that. More than anything I think you see them making some small moves and try to build CHEAPLY through the draft. They just lopped off Baron's contract. I dont see them quickly jumping in to add more payroll to a player like Swift. I mean is he a "difference maker" for that team? They already have Maglore, PJ Brown and David West at the power spots. To me the "Value" for their money isnt there with Swift. They would be better off making a BIG offer for Joe Johnson instead. Just some stuff to keep in mind.
Good post, Deuce. I forgot about that. Shinn makes Sterling look like Mark Cuban. And Shinn did just dump Baron Davis for a pile of nothing, just to get his salary cap low. Does anyone have any opinion on Swift playing PF and backup C? It's pure speculation, because who knows who'll offer him what.
I sense some jelousy here. This "glass doll" plays with his teeth knocked out in the same game. He gets mauled on every drive just so defenders can send a message. Don't mess with Dirk damnit!!
Agreed, they may not do too bad, but they're certainly knocked down a notch. Few if any teams could take such a hit to their starting squad and depth. I was pretty concerned about Memphis ... until this.
Really, I sense some favoritism here... You and I must be watching different games, one thing that Dirk cant do besides play defence is keep his mouth shut for back to back plays...
Pau is the greatest whiner of them all.. Dirk gets alot of calls in his favor but doesn't make that whiny face that Gasol loves to do Gasol is a *****
I agree with you, although I'm a Rockets fan, Dirk is not soft. He also has been plying better D this year. He shouldn't be expected to play great D, he's their #1 scorer. Alhough he does flop and act his way into some calls. Which, if you are a Mavs fan, isn't so bad.
wow this thread was disgusting to read through but remeber this thread if Yao or T Mac get hurt...I will be sure to gloat and voice my pleasure.
Yeah sure. We all know the only time you come around is if your team is winning, which won't be for long. If you come to a Rockets BBS and gloat about a Rockets injury, I'll be the first one to tell you where to go. Promise.
I'd never celebrate an athlete I've never met getting injured. With the possible exception of Kobe Bryant.
Cry me a mother freakin river. You are the typical bandwagoning fan. Only showing up on the rare occasions Grizzlies are doing well.
Players get hurt. That's just the way it is. And that will help the competition. That's just the way it is. To ignore it when it happens because some poor fan is crying in his beer ... would be pretty stupid.
Don't remeber crying or making excuses. Don't think my team is either. Still just 1/2 game behind you guys after you have already shot your wad. We are coming Pau or no Pau. Also, I don't post frequently on this site because it is a Rox site. The only reason I post on it at all is because it is a good basketball site with a lot of good NBA fans that happen to cheer for the wrong team.
