MVN - Most Valuable Network

Artest Traded, Rockets Legit Contenders

The Chronicle and ESPN are both reporting that the Rockets have reached an agreement with the Sacramento Kings to acquire Ron Artest.  After seeing the details of the trade, I’m betting this one is going to be talked about a lot.

The reported deal has Artest going to the Rockets in exchange for Houston’s first-round draft pick in 2009, ex-King Bobby Jackson (who arrives with a $6.1 million expiring contract) and the draft rights to Donte Greene. The Kings will also receive more than $1 million in cash, according to The Houston Chronicle, but the deal can’t be announced before Aug. 14 because Greene is not eligible to be traded before then.

All I have to say is, damn, that’s all it took? 

The Rockets are going to add Artest to an already great defensive team that won 50 plus games last season while dealing with injuries.  What makes this deal even more impressive is that they did so without trading any key players.  There is little to no risk involved here for the Rockets.  It’s also the type of move that turns a playoff team, into a legitimate contender. 

Of course I realize the Rockets will need a little luck for once.  Key for them has always been health, and it’s something they’ve never been able to overcome.

But who knows, if they can remain healthy for once, especially with the addition of Artest, they will be a force to reckon with.

As for me, I’m still in shock that all it took was some cash and potential to land Ron Artest.  I’m sure a lot of fans out there will be thinking the exact same thing. 

Economies of scale: European expansion gets a new twist

It’s coming.  Whether David Stern wants it or not, the NBA is expanding into Europe.  At its current state, the players are leading the expansion all on their own.   The league is missing out.

No one was alarmed when guys like Carlos Delfino and Bostjan Nachbar left the NBA for Europe this summer.  After all, those guys originally came from Argentina and Slovenia before immigrating to the U.S.  Once we lose one of our own to the exchange rate, then we have cause for concern.

I blame the collective bargaining agreement.  The economy of the NBA is such that rookies are locked into three year contracts below market value.  These contracts can’t compete against the Euro.  Also due to the fact that players are developing at younger ages in the U.S. and Europe, their value is on the rise.

The NBA seeks to control the market for it’s own high school players by instituting an age limit to wait a year before declaring for the draft.  One of the best players in the nation, Brandon Jennings, decided instead of playing college ball that he would either sit out the year and train or go to Europe.  Europe is become more and more of a viable option for players who want to opt out of a broken system.

You have to consider the market for European talent.  The best players are already making millions by the time they are NBA draft eligible.  The risk many teams face when drafting a European player is that they will stay in Europe instead of taking a cut in pay to play in the NBA.  As one example, the Orlando Magic selected Fran Vasquez of Spain with the 11th pick in the 2005 draft.  Three years later, he’s still playing for FC Barcelona.

The latest developments though are geared to the players that fall into the mid-level exception range.  The NBA salary cap leaves limited dollars to go around and players who are worth more than the median are stuck without contract offers.  You have the players who get the big contracts combined with the players who are locked into the rookie scale, with the middle ground some tough terrain to negotiate.  That is where Josh Childress fell into.  The opportunity in Europe affords one the opportunity to earn double what they would otherwise staying with their teams.

I’ve been saying it for awhile now that the salary cap is ruining sports.  It’s like sports communism, all in the name of competitive balance.  We live in a free capitalism enterprise.  When you start talking about competitive balance in sports, you are talking about controlling the market for winners and making the opportunity equal across the board.  The truth is that it’s impossible to manage all the implications.

The market will adjust if we let go of trying to control it.  The globalization of the NBA wasn’t going to result in a flawless system anyway, so it’s no wonder then when things come full circle.  Give up the salary cap and restructure the collective bargaining agreement.

To really fix the economy though, we will need foreign dollars invested in the U.S.  The same goes for the NBA.  Perhaps David Stern saw this coming with news this spring that the league is considering expanding the NBA to include some teams in Europe.  It’s starting to look like a necessary step for the league to grow.  At this moment, the growth is in Europe and abroad.

Losers of the offseason: Artest, Shaq and Nuggets top list

The NBA is a league of haves and have nots.  With the collective bargaining agreement, salary caps and superstar agents, those gaps end up getting exploited far too often.  Here are the players, teams and individuals who’ve lost out this offseason…

Losers - Ron Artest, Shaq, Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Josh Smith, Shawne Williams, Rodney Carney, Luol Deng, Ronnie Nunn and Seattle SuperSonics fans

Ron Artest - Many assumed that Ron Artest would opt out after the season.  After all, he was only slated to make $7.4 million this season.  His talent is undeniable as one of the league’s premier perimeter defenders and solid second or third option on offense.  Despite all his antics and insanity, there would be suitors for him on the free agent market.  Yet, Artest elected to remain a King.  Well, at least that was the first thought when he waived his option to become a free agent.  Now, he’s seeking a trade to a contender.  We’ve long since stopped trying to make sense of the Artest ordeal and recommend you just sit back and see how this plays out.

Shaq - For all the talk about winning a championship with the Suns following the big midseason trade, Shaq failed miserably to live up to his own inflated expectations.  Not only that, he had the audacity this summer to freestyle a wack rap about Kobe needing him and telling the reigning MVP to taste his hind parts.  Where’s MC Hack-a-Shaq when you need him?  Shaq, your ass tastes like icy hot because we know you have to bathe in it after every game.  Please, you were good in your prime.  Now, you suck and you’re bringing down everyone with you.  The sun is set on Shaq and the Suns.  Look for Amare Stoudemire to score as many points as possible this year to at least make things interesting.

Denver Nuggets - Speaking of teams that try to score as much as possible, how defenseless are the Denver Nuggets?  Management does their best to spin awful moves as positive changes for the franchise, but the truth is that they are royally screwed for being so far over the cap.  That’s what happens when you pay Nene $60 million over six years.  They literally gave away the 20th pick in the draft, saying that they had no roster spots to fill.  Did my eyes deceive me or was that Kenyon Martin guarding Kobe Bryant in the playoffs?  The only other guy who was committed to defense on that team was Marcus Camby.  So, the next logical move was to give him away for nothing to the Clippers.  With the talent of Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony, taking away your best defender and giving away a first round pick for nothing isn’t exactly a step in the right direction.

Golden State Warriors - They did their best, but essentially ended up replacing Mickael Pietrus and Kelenna Azubuike for Corey Maggette, Patrick O’Bryant for Rony Turiaf, and Marcus Williams for Baron Davis.  Losing Davis and also having Elton Brand turn down $90 million made it impossible to recover.  Davis was the engine that made things go for the Warriors.  Without him, it will be interesting to see how it pans out.  If Marcus Williams can emerge as a steady player, the Warriors might not be that bad off.

Josh Smith - Being a restricted free agent of the Atlanta Hawks is proving to be one of the worst positions any player could find themselves in.  Just ask Josh Childress.  The Hawks other restricted free agent decided to take another route and go for more dollars with a team in Greece.  Smith has a lot of potential and room to grow.  Unfortunately, he’s had issues with the coach and his team says they will match any offer.  So far, nothing’s happened.

Shawne Williams - “I’m sorry officer.  I don’t know how that weed got in my friend’s pocket!”  Ok, maybe that isn’t how it happened, but Shawne Williams once again showed the ability to make poor choices.  If there’s any lesson for the casual fan to take away from the latest saga, it’s don’t let your friends ride in your car with weed on their person.  And if they must transport it with you, make them seal it up and swallow it.  Or, just get better friends and stay away from the buddah.  And make sure you wear your seatbelt for goodness sakes!  Sheesh, Shawne!

Rodney Carney -  The young swingman was finally getting comfortable in Philly as an option off the bench and the Sixers dealt him to clear up some cap space for Elton Brand.  Carney’s position in Minnesota is less certain.  He’ll have to compete with last year’s first round pick Corey Brewer for minutes.  He has to learn a new scheme, which he says is completely different than the Sixers philosophy.  The biggest change for him is going from a playoff team to a basement dweller.  That is the main reason he ends up on this list.

Luol Deng - Really, I do not understand the facination with this guy.  This time last year, he was considered untouchable in any trade discussions (ones involving Kevin Garnett, Pau Gasol and Kobe Bryant, no less).  One year later, he’s more of a known commodity as a complimentary player than a star.  The Bulls would like to keep him, but the market isn’t as hot for him as it was last year.  Deng is considering taking the qualifying offer so that he can hit the market as an unrestricted free agent next summer.

Ronnie Nunn - The past year of the Tim Donaghy scandal revealed troubling information of the need to revamp the NBA’s referee program.  The director of officials for the last five years has just been reassigned to director of development - a position that reports to his old post now held by Bernie Fryer.  It was a restructuring of the top three administrators of the referee program, with Fryer and Joe Borgia getting promotions while Nunn took a demotion.  It’s yet to be seen if these changes will help, but the NBA is confident that the restructuring brings about positive changes.

Seattle SuperSonics fans - The Sonics set sail for Oklahoma this summer after the city of Seattle was awarded a settlement and the Sonics granted a release of their lease on Key Arena.  Sadly, the team already played their last game in Seattle.  It remains to be seen where fans of the Northwest will go from here, but considering that the expansion Grizzlies moved from Vancouver to Memphis, the Portland Trail Blazers remain the only regional team left.  They figure to contend for the playoffs this season as well.  Can basketball fans of Seattle rally around their former rivals and root for the Blazers?  That would give Blazer Mania a whole new meaning.  It’s the only possible feel good story to be found among a sad state of affairs.

Tomorrow, the Euro vs. the dollar - why European expansion is coming whether David Stern wants it or not.  Send your e-mails to mvnnbasource@gmail.com and leave your comments below.  Thank you! 

The winners of this offseason thus far

Every offseason and free agency period, there are teams and players who come out smelling like roses.  This season is no different.  Let’s look at the winners of this summer this far…

Winners - James Posey, Chris Paul and the Hornets, Elton Brand and the new look Philadelphia 76ers, Andrew Bogut, Rony Turiaf, Patrick O’Bryant, Baron Davis, Gilbert Arenas, Jose Calderon and Oklahoma City Thunder basketball fans 

James Posey - Meet the new Robert Horry.  Posey was a free agent this time last year, but didn’t garner the type of interest that followed this time around.  While the Big Three of Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett got all the attention, James Posey was the glue to the Celtics championship run.  His defense on Kobe Bryant and LeBron James proved invaluable.  The Hornets finished a strong season just short of the Lakers and the Spurs, so bringing in a guy like Posey figures to give them an edge this season.

Chris Paul and the Hornets - The Hornets locked up the face of their franchise for four more seasons after signing Chris Paul to an extension.  Combined with the acquisition of Posey, the franchise is showing a commitment to winning.  This is a nice change from owner George Shinn, who was previously known for letting coaches go instead of paying them what they were worth.  Basketball in New Orleans is alive and well.

Elton Brand and the new look Philadelphia 76ers - I got word around the training deadline that the Sixers were going to do everything in their power to clear cap room for Elton Brand.  Of course, he had to opt out of his contract first.  The campaign was on.  While Brand recruited Baron Davis to opt out of G-State, he ended up leaving the Clippers hanging.  The Sixers got their man and Brand got four more years of the roughly same money he was making before.

Andrew Bogut - The Aussie big man who roams the paint for the Milwaukee Bucks signed a huge extension this offseason.  You can mark it down among the latest in bad contracts for centers.  He ended up getting roughly $72 million over five years, which averages over $14 million a season.  That’s a lot of money for a poor man’s Chris Kaman.

Rony Turiaf - With the Lakers tight against the salary cap, backup center Rony Turiaf figured to be on the move.  The money came from Golden State to the tune of $17 million for four years.  Turiaf will escape the shadows of Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol to get a chance to expand his role while expanding the wallet.  His energy and hustle are exactly what they need after letting Patrick O’Bryant walk due to his own motivational issues.

Patrick O’Bryant - Speaking of O’Bryant, how do you go from not cutting it as a deep backup for the Golden State Warriors to signing a contract with the defending champions?  Talk about second chances!  O’Bryant was all but written off as a bust until Danny Ainge and the Celtics started talking about his potential and the redeeming qualities of playing with championship caliber teammates.  The big fella needs to take full advantage of this opportunity because it could very well be his last.

Baron Davis - Boom Dizzle didn’t so much end up as a winner on this list as he did luck out following the debacle with Elton Brand.  Davis opted out to come to the Clippers and they ended up losing their franchise player.  Corey Maggette left for Golden State.  But the Clippers swung a trade for Marcus Camby.  Because they were left under the cap, they didn’t have to give up anyone to get him.  So, they didn’t.  And while the Clippers didn’t necessarily win out, Davis did by opting out and taking on a new face of a franchise with more job security.

Gilbert Arenas - Another former Warrior signed a new contract this offseason as Gilbert Arenas received a whopping $111 million over six years.  This is $15 million less than originally offered because even Agent Zero realized that there wouldn’t be enough cheese to pass out around him if he wanted to keep the Wizards nucleus in tact and play on a title contender.  Still, $111 million is a bit much for a guy who struggled with knee injuries all year.  The injury concerns must be a thing of the pass for the Wizards to go to the max here.

Jose Calderon - One of the most efficient point guards in the NBA last season, Calderon no longer has to play the role of part time duty with T.J. Ford.  Calderon showed what he could do as a full-time starter while the injury-prone Ford was in the shop and he was rewarded handsomely with a nice new contract.  To solidify Calderon as the full-time starter, the Raptors made a draft day trade with the Pacers to acquire the services of Jermaine O’Neal.  It was a win-win for both sides, until Jerryd Bayless fell to the Pacers at 11.  That was their problem though.

Oklahoma City Thunder basketball fans - Earlier this month, the relocation of the Seattle SuperSonics franchise to Oklahoma City was approved by the courts of our land and the city of Seattle awarded a settlement for all their woes.  This past weekend, the nickname of the team surfaced as the Oklahoma City Thunder.  16,000 plus fans reserved season tickets.  Unfortunately, the Thunder will have their growing pains and are not expected to be any good this year.  If the fans can show that they are in it for the long haul, the Thunder have the potential to turn things around and build a winner.

**Stay tuned as tomorrow we will discuss the losers.  Leave your questions and comments below or send your inquiries to mvnnbasource@gmail.com**

Computer Troubles

Well, it looks like some storms in my area have all but knocked out my local high-speed internet connection. Therefore, I probably won’t be able to do much today. Sorry, and come back tomorrow, as I’m sure it’ll be fine then.

Mailbag time

I’ll be conducting the first mailbag at the NBA Source sometime next week, so send your questions into mvnsnbasource@gmail.com. Please send your first name and initial along with a decent question.

And a reminder that you can talk to me any time at that address. Feedback is appreciated.