but Miami has Zo, and we all know that Deke wants to play. He has a better chance seeing more PT here than he would in Miami.
SamFisher bet that Boki < 6.5 ppg. Boki scored 7.0 ppg. So SF is DD's sig-slave for a couple of months.
One where Bostjan Nachbar had to average a measly 6.5 points per game for the season, playing in a majority of the Hornets games. See here: http://bbs.clutchcity.net/showthread.php?s=&threadid=88947&perpage=30&pagenumber=5
big difference. If Deke is going to back someone up - Yao is a non-threatening youngster he can mold he and SHaw used to bang - backing Shaw up would be a hurtful reminder of how good Deke used to be
When Shaq is out they go young and up tempo lead by Wade. I think Zo probably fits better for Miami, and Deke for us. I don't think we have to worry about Deke except for a ludicres offer for a 14MPG player--it won't be coming from Miami IMO. I agree except with Bowen. It is simply a numbers game at the 4 spot. Under contract next year we have JH, Padget, Spoon, Baker (assuming he does not exercise his option, a nobrainer money wise). We are going to add another PF at least comparable to JH via free agency (much better player than Bowen/Padget/Spoon). There is a good chance we draft a 4 as well. Even using IR (Baker + Spoon or rook), that leaves 3-4 PFs (newFA, JH, Padget, plus maybe rook or Spoon) on the roster. Further, of these Padget is probably more suited as the emergency 3 because of his shooting. Someone said for Bowen to work on his shot. The guy has been working his butt off for many years to stay in the league, if he could have developed into a shooter he would have. He gave us all he had this year and I am glad we had him, but I think there just won't be a spot for him. He will be squeezed out by a combination of better players (JH, new FA), younger players (possible draftee or undrafted free agent), and equal to worse players under contract (Padget/Spoon/Vin). The only way he stays IMO is if we do a sign and trade involving multiple of these guys.
Scar, But doesn't Bowen play most of his time at the 3 spot to spell Tmac. Without Bowen, Tmac is our only 3 and he is really more a 2 guard.
This is fantastic news. Bowen needs to develop at least one reliable shot on a spot 15-17 feet away from the basket. AC Green, not a naturally good shooter, picked just one spot and practiced that shot ad nauseum. Magic (and later Nick Van Exel) will always find AC Green at his spot at least 3-4 times a game, giving the team some easy points. If we can get at least that much offense from Bowen, I'd be happy.
i'd add howard to the mix as well. his jumpshot kept opposing defenses honest and he was actually a much better rebounder/defender than most expected. if we can land more of a bruiser/banger PF this offseason, the Yao/Deke + Howard/Banger 4 combos could be pretty f'ing sweet.
what about waiving baker and spoon, eating their contracts and bringing in some young minimum wage players to develop? it would suck to pay guys not on the roster, but if they aren't going to be part of the future and have only a year or two left on their deals why not just cut our losses and move on, because no one in their right mind would trade for either of these guys.
I love Barry's heart for the game. And Deke was damn good this past season. Barry is a sharp shooter we need.
baker will be (somewhat) valuable next season since he'd be coming off the books. you figure his $3-4 mil in cap space just might be enough to land a decent trade (with add-ons of course). but i guess it's only relevant after (if?) he new CBA gets hammered out.
JB hit so many big shots for us this year. He's got some real brass balls. I was disappointed when he passed on some shots in the playoffs, but I think we definately need to resign him.
Next year under contract (*I think Barry and Deke are nobrainers, they will return) The problem with waving Vin, both CWs, and MN is you pay them and lose their expiring contracts. Rarely is the freed up last roster spot is worth that. C Yao Deke* (hopefully) pf FA* JH SP CW VB sf TM (BS?) (SP?) (FA?) sg DW JB* (FA?) pg BS MJ CW MN Now, we will draft #24 the best available between the 1-4 spots, assuming they are equal I would think a 4 or 3/2 would be the preference. We also have the rights to Spanoulos (sp) and Badiane. Yes we could have Bowen as the back-up up for Tmac. But we really only needed this because we had no back-up 3 worth a lick, Padget had to play the 4, and we didn't have a 5th guard worth a lick (who could have allowed Sura/Barry to play more 3). Next year with Padget having no time at the 4 with JH/new FA, and assuming Spanoulos or draftee or another vet SF is brought in can play, there will be no time backing up the SF either. I think we are much better off getting another true swingman (3, 3/2 or 2/3) at the vet min if not the 1.6 exemption rather than saving that spot for Bowen (really a 4/3). Worst case, say we don't add a another SF or swingman who can play via draft or FA, I just don't see what Bowen might do over Padgett/Sura in the few back-up 3 minutes worth tying up a roster spot, even at the vet min. Again, unless multiple forwards are traded, I think Bowen and us should go in different directions.
And doesn't Moochie have 2 years left (at about $8mil/year), with the second being a team option? In which case he would also be valuable for teams wanting to save cap space.
This really sucks. Dead weight like Vin Baker & Mooche and Charlie Ward are gonna take up spots will be much better reserve for guys that're actually playing and contributing, like Bowen & Barry & Deke.
Once Vin, Moochie, and the other guy are gone then we should be ready to run..add more solid role players to the team..can't wait!
Yes that's true, however Deke can't really teach anything to Shaq that he does not already know. I think Deke's value to the team is the lessons that he bestows on Yao.
