Deron Williams Traded to the Nets as Russian Billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov Shakes Up the NBA
Deron Williams just got traded to the New Jersey Nets (!!!!!!) in a monster 3-way trade that nobody saw coming. The Jazz are getting NJ rookie Derrick Favors, point guard Devin Harris and two first round picks, the Warriors are getting Troy Murphy from the Nets, and the Nets are getting Dan Gadzuric from the Warriors*. This is stunning on multiple levels, but let’s focus on the Jazz, who have lost their Hall of Fame coach and star point guard in a span of two weeks.
Last year, the Jazz (basically) had this starting lineup:
Deron Williams
Wesley Matthews
AK-47
Carlos Boozer
Memhet Okur
Their 6th man was Paul Millsap.
Of those top six players, only three remain – AK-47, Okur, and Millsap. Matthews signed with Portland, Boozer signed with Chicago, and today, Williams was traded. Toss in their coach’s departure, and you have a full-blown rebuilding project.
My initial reaction is that the Jazz got hoodwinked, but I’d love to hear more behind the logic, especially because of the Sloan factor. Mikhail Prokhorov, the New Jersey Nets owner who was ripped in the last 24 hours for swinging and missing in free agency last year and then with Carmelo Anthony, just pulled off a fantastic trade. He got the Knicks to raise their offer to Melo, essentially gutting the franchise, and then swept in and took one of their 2012 targets, Deron Williams. Masterful.
Now the question becomes – who can the Nets surround Williams with? Brook Lopez isn’t a bad place to start, and they have some decent role players in Humphries (rebounds) and Outlaw (shooting, if he ever gets the touch back he had in Portland). My first inclination would be that the Nets want to make a run at Dwight Howard in 2012, and they’ll have the cap space to do it. The question could become – does Dwight Howard want to go to a post-Kobe Bryant wasteland in LA (potentially), or play with one of the league’s best point guards?
Prokhorov just completely shook up the NBA.
[UPDATE: The Nets also got Brandan Wright from the Warriors. He was a stud at UNC but got buried in Don Nelson's doghouse and never really had a chance.]
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178 Responses to “Deron Williams Traded to the Nets as Russian Billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov Shakes Up the NBA”
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February 23rd, 2011 at 11:20 AM
Would he go to the Nyets? If so, Williams and Howard plus Lopez would be scary.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:20 AM
Never heard of him
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:21 AM
Shenanigans?
/looking for my broom
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:21 AM
BOOM!! This is incredible. All it takes is to land one key guy and others will then follow.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:21 AM
That’s not a bad haul for Williams.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:21 AM
He is like Rondo but he can shoot.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:22 AM
Don’t the Jazz have a new owner? The former owners son I believe. Perhaps he is more of a business man than his pops, because it looks like this guy just doesn’t want to shell out any cash at all. If that’s the case, that’s terrible for Jazz fans. Never good to have an owner more interested in making money than winning.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:22 AM
I expect nothing less from the Bond villain. If/when they ake it to Brooklyn, he will dominate the back pages in NY.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:22 AM
And what’s an AK-47?
/i think i know more about soccer than i do the nba
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:23 AM
The Jazz did well. Does Sloan come back now?
/semi-kidding about Sloan
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:23 AM
Or does he want to stay in Orlando where he’s spent 7 years of his career and has an owner willing to throw whatever money needed into the team…
Come on TBL…don’t join the Dwight Howard speculation bullshit without entertaining the idea that the guy MIGHT want to stay in Orlando.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:23 AM
Come Jazz fans. Sit by the fire and lets carve messages of hate into the sand.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:23 AM
Oh wait, this is the guy who got into it with Sloan right? Does this mean Sloan can come back?
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:23 AM
I don’t see Howard and Lopez working together. You really want Lopez chasing PFs around the perimeter?
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:24 AM
And what’s an AK-47?
Ha. His name is Andre Kirilenko (sp?) and his # is 47, hence the nickname AK-47. Oh, and he’s Russian, and an AK-47 is a type of gun the Russians made (make?)
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:24 AM
I like Dwight Howard & Orlando, Trey. If they flame out early in the playoffs (again), do you really think he stays?
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:24 AM
Damn… when the Jazz owner died, everything went to shit quickly in Utah. But watch them wind up with like 2 lottery picks and take Irving and Derrick Williams.
Fuck Russia.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:24 AM
Send the Wisconsin kid (Harris) to Utah, where they force breweries to make special low-alcohol beer to sell in the state….
/wont work
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:24 AM
Jerry Sloan is a martyr for nothing now.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:24 AM
loved the Bond Villain line.
+3
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:25 AM
See, I’ve heard of Kirilenko. Not the stupid gun nickname.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:26 AM
Dwight Howard should sign with the Thunder or Boston.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:26 AM
Jerry Sloan just shit his pants.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:26 AM
That move to NY is now that much easier.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:26 AM
Whats this ‘again’ shit? Werent they just in the finals?
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:26 AM
Send the Wisconsin kid (Harris) to Utah, where they force breweries to make special low-alcohol beer to sell in the state….
I think Harris would have a harder time fitting in because he’s a black man in freaking UTAH more than because he is from a state that likes beer.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:26 AM
Considering it became clear that DWill was not going to re-sign, getting this kind of haul was great. Too bad Jerry got screwed in all of this. Those 1st rounders will be huge considering the nets will still be a lottery pick after all this…
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:27 AM
That’s a nice piece too. God damn it.
This narrative sounds AWFULLY familiar.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:28 AM
Flame out early? I guess the NBA Finals…followed by the Eastern Conference Finals is early?
Do I think he’ll stay? At this point, yes, I think he will. He did last time. The Magic owners will spend and wheel and deal.
The reason people are so into this crap is because of some asshole who is playing in Miami now, and Carmelo Anthony who was never happy in Denver…
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:28 AM
David Kahn is pissed he was not able to get another expiring contract in this trade.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:28 AM
Everyone has heard of the gun nickname. And its not stupid. His initials are AK, his number is 47 and he’s from Russia… I mean, c’mon.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:28 AM
/typed with tears streaming down his face
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:28 AM
Deron Williams > Devin Harris
Brandon Wright < Derrick Favors… but are we even sure by how much???
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:28 AM
I’ve heard he longs to play with Gortat again.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:28 AM
It sure does.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:28 AM
There’s certainly a down side, but can you imagine their rebounding margin a game? Get a solid outside shooter and that would be scary I think.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:29 AM
jazz stole. straight up theft.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:29 AM
The Jazz are so drafting Jimmer now.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:29 AM
Hi there! I’m cracker jack. I dont watch a minute of the NBA. I can count the current players I know on both hands.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:29 AM
I’d like to know which ones they traded. They have a bunch.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:29 AM
Didnt Sloan quit because of Williams like 2 weeks ago? And now they are trading the guy away? When you choose one over the other dont you usally stick with the guy instead of getting rid of him?
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:29 AM
They gave up too much 2 first rounders. I wish the bulls would have tried to fleece Deng. But i guess we straight cuz we got a first rounder for James Johnson.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:30 AM
Hump Day.
/NSFWish
//return to bball trade discussion
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:30 AM
Do we know any details about the picks? Are they for this year and are they protected at all?
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:30 AM
You should change your avatar to Brutus and start cursing while using various forms of the word “fag” a lot.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:31 AM
This.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:31 AM
/mutters to self
//loads silver bullet with “lbj” etched in the casing
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:31 AM
Dwight will stay in Orlando when the owners throw every cent possible at him and bring in another star. SOMEBODYHASGOTTOPAYFORTHATNEWARENA!!!
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:32 AM
Ha. That is so true.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:32 AM
I still want to know how the Finals followed by an ECF constitutes flaming out early.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:33 AM
That move had to be in order to set something else up, right? Not that James Johnson was important or, you know, ever played but they now possess the all important “trade chips”
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:33 AM
SOBBING.
Yes. And it was done by an arrogant prick who made a bad name for everyone.
I have faith in the Magic. People talk about the devastation of LeBron leaving Cleveland, and it does suck, but today’s NBA allows them to rebound from that loss.
Back in 1996 when we lost Shaq? Game over…no cap money, no nothing.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:33 AM
if only dwight “flamed out early” when he was banging that cheerleader, maybe god’s son wouldn’t have an illegitimate child.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:33 AM
So would you be happy if your Bulls traded rose for that exact package?
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:33 AM
They are building the new Nets stadium like 5 minutes from my house. I pass by it all the time. It’s in a bad location where there is already a ton of traffic before it even opens. I would not be surprised if people do not stay because of how inconvenient the location is. Unless you live around the area its going to be a pain getting there everyday for a player.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:34 AM
I think Gar Forpax is going to flip those two picks for a 2 guard. They’ve been floating the usual suspects like Mayo and Smith. However, I did hear an interesting name (not sure if there’s any talks) on the radio today.
Gerald Wallace.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:34 AM
if only dwight “flamed out early” when he was banging that cheerleader, maybe god’s son wouldn’t have an illegitimate child.
Nice.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:34 AM
Who is going to want to go to a small market like Orlando?
/prevailing wisdom
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:34 AM
I haven’t seen anything yet that indicates that Williams is certain to sign an extension with NJ?
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:35 AM
I just spit all over the place. Poor Cleveland fans.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:35 AM
Rose > Deron Williams
Plus Williams isnt staying hes going to the Knicks.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:35 AM
Did Melo sign an extension when he was traded? If not, can you see Melo and Howard going to the Nets?
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:36 AM
Who is going to want to go to a small market like Orlando?
1. No State Income Tax
2. No State Income Tax
3. Nice Weather
/Orlando sucks as a city, but you could do a lot worse.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:36 AM
I still am in the camp that Favors can turn out to be a hell of a pro.
I wonder if the Jazz turn around and deal Harris to the Mav’s or someone else for picks/young players. If the Jazz are gutting the team they better try and get as much young talent and high picks as possible.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:36 AM
i wish the cavs would get in as the third team in some of the three team deals. get some draft picks damnit.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:36 AM
SC I dont want a band-aid. Lets keep the pick.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:37 AM
You could say the same exact thing about where they built the Prudential Center. And it is working out better than fine.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:38 AM
You could say the same exact thing about where they built the Prudential Center. And it is working out better than fine.
Are there any “good” areas in Newark?
/Conan’d
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:38 AM
Isn’t part of the reason the 3 Assholes chose Miami is the lack of state income tax? Its not in any way farfetched to say Dwight Howard might stay in Orlando, 4th round playoff flameouts notwithstanding
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:38 AM
rebound? you mean like get another draft pick that’ll bolt NBA siberia the second he gets a chance?
fuck that noise…NBA doesn’t give a shit about the small-market teams.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:38 AM
Today’s NBA is turning into a professional AAU league in which players decide where and with whom they want to play. Small market teams (especially in the East) need to hit 2 or 3 consecutive homeruns in the lottery to even stand a chance of competing with the cartels in Miami/NY/Jersey.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:38 AM
Exactly. Once Deron makes the decision to re-sign, I’ll score this fight for Drago. But if he doesn’t, than its not that big of a deal. He does get the advantage of building something around him for the next season, though.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:39 AM
Dwight Howard playing Clark Kent interviewed Dwight Howard during the playoffs last year. LA ’tis his destiny.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:39 AM
Yeah, Harris just doesn’t fit in Utah right now. Another deal seems likely.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:39 AM
Here let me get that for you.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:40 AM
I agree with Spencer. Other than San Antonio with a top 10 all-time player in Duncan, name another small market team to win the title?
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:40 AM
Benefit of a tax free state. We’ve always been able to sogn guys…See Grant…fucking…Hill…
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:41 AM
SC, there are about 6 teams that could use him, and he’d pretty much change the tides of a team ving for a championship. Is Charlotte willing to deal him? I’d give up a 1st rounder for him easily if I’m Orlando, LA, Chicago or OKC. It would happen so damn fast…
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:41 AM
is there a definition somewhere that demarcates the line on market size?
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:41 AM
does detroit count?
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:42 AM
I don’t want to be a dick or anything but… click this and go down to #27. It’s something I will never understand. 28-32 don’t have fan bases… well, the last place one has one that’s just been repeatedly beaten with a shovel by their owner.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:42 AM
So, Miami then?
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:42 AM
Deng,Noah and two first round picks for Dwight Howard?
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:42 AM
How far back we talking? Because Portland won one with the psychedelic Bill Walton.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:43 AM
fuck that noise…NBA doesn’t give a shit about the small-market teams.
true dat. Small markets have got to build through the draft (absolute crap-shoot in the NBA) and then have a 7 year window to win a title. Then the good players go bye-bye and flee to big markets.
/At least Cleveland got 7 years in the spotlight
//Bucks fan
///Yep, they still exist
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:43 AM
Howard will be in LA. With him, Kobe career will be extended 4 or 5 more years. Which means 4 or 5 more titles…
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:44 AM
That’s just because the teams occupying the arenas have no fan base. Doesn’t mean that the arena is shit. I told you before, I could count my friends who are Devils and Nets fans on one hand. That includes some of my family. The logistics of the stadium are great though.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:44 AM
Bulls? they may not need Howard.
I’d say it’s the Nets/Lakers in the mix for Howard.
what a great trade deadline!
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:44 AM
Wait: there’s another mega-trade, and Drew Gooden, Larry Hughes, and Joe Smith aren’t involved?
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:44 AM
Ha.
Initial indications are that Williams is stunned and extremely unhappy with the Jazz’ decision to trade him to New Jersey.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:44 AM
/fapfapfapfapfapfapfapfapfap
The Pistons? The ’74 Bucks?
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:44 AM
here, take this steaming pony loaf and give us the best big man in the game.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:44 AM
And Tracy McGrady for that matter. And almost Tim Duncan.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:45 AM
They’ll get on SportsCenter tonight…playing the Knicks at MSG
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:45 AM
Oooo, ooo, oo, link, link, link.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:45 AM
is there a definition somewhere that demarcates the line on market size?
Anything smaller than the Dallas/Atlanta/Philly’s of the world?
See: Memphis, Milwaukee, Sac, Indy, Cleve, Minny, NO, Portland… maybe Denver?
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:46 AM
When Shaq left in 1996 you know how much cap relief the Magic got?
Zero. Why? Because the Salary cap rules back then didn’t allow teams to just deduct a contract…In comes…John Koncak.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:46 AM
Good god I might go postal if people spend the next 18 months talking about Dwight.
BEastern Conference is back. As a card carrying member of the East Coast Bias as well as someone who doesnt care for playoff games ending at 2am I’m happy.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:46 AM
Yes but you can sign withe knicks, live in manhattan and get to the garden in 10 minutes by cab. You play for the nets when they move and anywhere from manhattan it going to be a pain.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:46 AM
Very appropriate that the deer are the opening sacrifice to be offered for the two headed Blue and Orange Monster.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:46 AM
and im sorry, but i can’t help but feel like espn has a HUGE hand in steering players where to go. it’s seriously disgusting.
that whole network should be liquidated except for bob ley and SVP.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:46 AM
It’s a shame though because I’ve always been high on Bynum. But injuries make him a big risk, and howard is a sure thing. Jerry Buss is a phenomenal owner and he and Mitch will make it happen if possible. For Dwight, no need to stay in Orl and not be able to compete. Have to join a powerhouse.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:47 AM
fixed.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:47 AM
I keep on hearing that the nba wants to implement something like the franchise tag in the nfl, so players may not have a choice.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:48 AM
it still doesn’t change the fact that cities like cleveland and milwaukee and utah have absolutely no shot whatsoever of keeping a big named player.
denver’s a sweet city with as close to legal weed as you can get and it STILL wasn’t good enough for melo. what more do you want? jesus fucking christ…you’re a basketball player not a politician.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:48 AM
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:48 AM
The picks the Nets are giving up are theirs this year and the likely Warriors’ protected pick next year. There could be more involved, and players included to make the salaries match.
From Al Iazzone, Record beat writer for Nets
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:49 AM
Keep Russilo, Karl Ravech and Buccigross, too.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:49 AM
I was actually wondering if we might have seen a DWill for Bynum deal.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:49 AM
while id love to have lebron here, it’s foolish to take away a player’s freedom.
this is entirely a player integrity issue. they have the right to go wherever they want, but something has to be done so the players can’t hold teams hostage.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:49 AM
Williams is signed through next season and has a $17.8 million player option for 2012-13. The Nets still have draft picks and flexibility and will try to acquire star-caliber players and see if Williams’ presence can attract some in an effort to get him to commit to the franchise into Brooklyn and beyond.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:49 AM
They’ll get on SportsCenter tonight…playing the Knicks at MSG
Such a disappointing year. They won a ton of fans back with their run last year, and I’m afraid they lost ‘em all with this dumpster fire of a season.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:49 AM
Real easy to explain.
The southern half of New Jersey more closely identifies with Philadelphia sports teams. Many professional athletes that play for Philly teams actually live in South Jersey.
The northern half of the state identifies more closely with New York sports teams. I’m guessing on this one, but I suppose there are many athletes that play for New York teams that live in North Jersey. Hell, BOTH New York football teams PLAY in New Jersey.
Where does that leave sports teams that are branded with and identify with New Jersey? In 27th place in attendance. That’s where.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:50 AM
This. NBA is turning into the NHL. I love it.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:50 AM
That Nets pick could be really good.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:50 AM
Or does he want to stay in Orlando where he’s spent 7 years of his career and has an owner willing to throw whatever money needed into the team…
Very late to the party…but this sounds alarmingly just like Cavs fans. Owner willing to spend: check been there his whole career: check one trip to the finals and got butts kicked: check disappointing playoff losses: check
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:50 AM
Seems to me like players are almost in panic mode. None of them want to be left out with a crappy team. I would wager that all of them let contracts expire and join the big boys. I’ll say this much: the next 5 years are going to be pretty interesting.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:51 AM
why would he resign with the Nets? to play with 7 foot shooting guard Brook Lopez?
The Nets are a disaster.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:51 AM
It’s tough. Twenty years ago the NBA structure was TOTALLY different. You think under today’s cap structure the Celtics would have existed?
You think the Lakers could have purchased that draft pick that turned out to be Hall of Famer James Worthy?
In the early 90s things started to change and with the lockout in 1998 the deal was done…
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:52 AM
denver’s a sweet city with as close to legal weed as you can get and it STILL wasn’t good enough for melo. what more do you want? jesus fucking christ…you’re a basketball player not a politician.
This. If Cleveland can’t keep Lebron, and if Denver can’t keep a marquee (sp?) free agent, there’s little hope of any team not located in a big city/warm weather climate of keeping theirs.
The rest of the teams might as well be the NBA’s minor league.
/Precisely why I’m a fair-weather NBA fan
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:52 AM
Bergen County, NJ and Morris County, NJ. Home to pretty much most of the NY sports stars. Eli bought his first apartment in Hoboken. Don’t know if he still lives there.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:52 AM
Memphis held on to Rudy Gay.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:52 AM
LA would have to get a quality big for Bynum. Can’t compete with LO and Gasol in the middle. If Bynum is moved, I would think Howard would have to be on the other end.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:54 AM
Rudy Gay.
That was sarcastic, right? Please tell me that was sarcastic. The only reason he stayed was because he was insanely overpaid.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:54 AM
Comparing dwight Howard to ANYTHING LeBron James has done is borderline insulting.
Is there a chance Dwight jumps? best your ass…I wouldn’t blame him for looking at LA or another team. That being said, the guy isn’t an arrogant prick and just because that asshole did something like that to Cleveland doesn’t mean Dwight will do the same…
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:54 AM
I’m still wondering what the other picks are though. They have more than those two.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:54 AM
100%
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:54 AM
Let’s go… Cavs?
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:55 AM
Free Paul Millsap!
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:55 AM
it was genuinely fun watching our ownership/front office outbid themselves for his services.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:56 AM
Ha! Keep telling yourself that.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:56 AM
The same thing happens in baseball…and in basketball it has happened twice now…in quite some time.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:57 AM
I’d say there is no less chance of Williams being a Knick in 2 years then there was 24 hours ago.
When he inks Williams to an extension, perhaps (and I think it’s highly unlikely). Until then…no.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:57 AM
Eli is still in Hoboken.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:57 AM
Trey, you are setting yourself up for heartbreak brother. Just enjoy him while he’s there.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:57 AM
From Al_Iannazzone
Updating my story, but it is a two-team trade and the Murphy to GSW deal is separate. Bottom line, the Nets got Deron Williams and gave up much less than they would have for Melo and didn’t go through as much
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:58 AM
This. if Howard leaves I think it will be because he sees the writing on the wall and realizes to win he needs to join a stronger team. LB left because he is a pussy that isn’t willing to do the heavy lifting required to be “the man” and cried for help to Wade and Bosh. Howard would become the alpha dog in LA that Kobe would love to pass the torch to. Something the Big Turd couldn’t figure out until it was too late.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:58 AM
Don;t make fun of this though. He’s actually played better and has that squad fighting for a playoff spot. You know how bad I want Memphis to be good. I really hope they don’t deal Z-Bo and make a run.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:58 AM
Eli is in Hoboken but kid on the way, he will be out in the ‘burbs soon.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:58 AM
Somehow I just don’t think when/if Brad Richards gets traded in the next 4 days that we’re going to have this much fanfare in a post.
I would welcome the opportunity though.
/just don’t trade him to the Kings
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:58 AM
Jay V gets it.
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:58 AM
You forgot about the center of the state where it’s half Philly and half New York fans (Mercer, Mommouth, Middlesex counties)
February 23rd, 2011 at 11:59 AM
I think it is better to be spurned by the player then by the owner refusing to pay the player.
/suns fan plight
February 23rd, 2011 at 12:00 PM
The same thing happens in baseball…and in basketball it has happened twice now…in quite some time.
With Basketball it has a much larger impact when 1 guy leaves though. If the best player leaves your team it wrecks the franchise. At least MLB teams like Milwaukee, Minny, Oakland, Texas have a shot at the playoffs every year if the ownership is halfway competent. MLB has a much larger talent pool in the draft, so if you’re smart, you can replace what you lost much easier.
February 23rd, 2011 at 12:01 PM
Gay needs a mentor!
February 23rd, 2011 at 12:01 PM
I am privy to info that the Pacers & Grizz are discussing him. No clue of the particulars…just that there are discussions. Doubt anything comes of it though.
February 23rd, 2011 at 12:01 PM
He’s not gonna be traded. Apparently the BJ’s and Devils may be buyers. I’m curious to see if Hemsky gets dealt.
February 23rd, 2011 at 12:02 PM
Jay V – you think all these super teams are good for the league?
If you’re in Indiana or Memphis or Golden State … can you ever hope to win anything?
February 23rd, 2011 at 12:02 PM
No I’m not. I’ve never said there is 100% no way he leaves. I just think it’s funny that Cleveland fans assume that because a guy who was clearly an ass-hat for the better part of his career there and needed to practically be coddled jumped…that a guy like Dwight will.
The guy has already addressed the rumors. Will he go? Possibly. I really don’t know what he’s thinking. Will he stay? Part of me likes to believe he’s happy here.
I hope he stays, and if he doesn’t I’ll support the Magic to the fullest extent just as I have for 20 years.
February 23rd, 2011 at 12:02 PM
I’m curious to see if Hemsky gets dealt.
You shut your whore mouth!
/runs away crying
//hope the Leafs cripple their rebuild by trading for Richards
February 23rd, 2011 at 12:03 PM
the guy who never saw a shot he wouldn’t pass up passing the torch to a big man who’s invisible down the stretch in tight games.
i like it!
February 23rd, 2011 at 12:03 PM
I was only making fun of Memphis outbidding only themselves for Gay. he’s a good player and fits well in Memphis.
BREAKING NEWS: with the trade deadline approaching and all of these big deals being made, the Memphis Grizzlies are feeling left out and have traded Zach Randolph, Rudy Gay, OJ Mayo, and Marc Gasol to the Magic, Lakers, Heat, and Knicks (respectively) for Kwame Brown. more to come as news develops…
February 23rd, 2011 at 12:04 PM
Let’s go… Cavs?
YES! Go Cavs!
February 23rd, 2011 at 12:05 PM
dwight’s just as big of an asshat…you’re just as clouded in your objective judgement as we were about lebron.
February 23rd, 2011 at 12:05 PM
Eli bought his first apartment in Hoboken. Don’t know if he still lives there.
that’s not for living!
/lights PLSK signal
February 23rd, 2011 at 12:06 PM
Kobe has gotten more deferential lately (except for the times when he forgets he’s made this adjustment). But it’s a consious decision tog et his teammates involved more. I’m pretty sure he’d have no problem deferring to a guy who he knows would extend his career.
/Why the hell are we putting him in purple and gold already?
February 23rd, 2011 at 12:06 PM
Richards has said he does not wanna play for the Leafs. Stars/Rangers/Tampa and I think one other team are his preferred destinations.
February 23rd, 2011 at 12:07 PM
You know how bad I want Memphis to be good.
You moving to Anaheim or something?
February 23rd, 2011 at 12:09 PM
No, they are horrible. Certainly this season has held my interest less than most in the past…though the recent good play of my teams has piqued my interest. Going to be an interesting next 24 hrs for Jeff…he thinks he’s on the way out. We’ll see.
February 23rd, 2011 at 12:09 PM
Kobe as we think of him >>> Kobe now >>>>>>>>>>>>>> Kobe in 2 years when they could get Dwight Howard. Extending his career in the Juwan Howard sense of things? Sounds great
February 23rd, 2011 at 12:09 PM
Sixers need another AI-caliber player stat. Philly is a great hoops city and shouldn’t be relegated to crappy contracts (thanks Billy King!) and a fodder system.
February 23rd, 2011 at 12:10 PM
I do think a franchise tag in the NBA seems fairly inevitable. But it might be too late.
February 23rd, 2011 at 12:10 PM
I wouldn’t want to get pelted by a waffle either.
February 23rd, 2011 at 12:10 PM
Sixers need another AI-caliber player stat.
The supply of top-5 all time scorers and fastest guys in league history is, uhhh, limited
February 23rd, 2011 at 12:12 PM
This. Been trying to see what I could find out about any activity…but I’m hearing nothing.
February 23rd, 2011 at 12:13 PM
dwight’s just as big of an asshat…you’re just as clouded in your objective judgement as we were about lebron.
in all fairness, i never thought someone (lebron) would turn down that extra year when the owner said he would never agree to a sign and trade. it never had anything to do with the asshat in him.
February 23rd, 2011 at 12:15 PM
They’re better off just not doing anything. Maybe try to get Turner some more time in the rotation. Collins is doing a good job, however I fear his normal pattern will ensue. By year 3, they’ll be tuning him out.
February 23rd, 2011 at 12:16 PM
Just in case anyone is still trying to talk themselves into Brandon Wright…you can stop. He is not that good.
February 23rd, 2011 at 12:17 PM
Having lived in both Clev and Miami let me tell you that you don’t have a clue.
February 23rd, 2011 at 12:22 PM
Jay V – Isn’t Jrue H the next AI? Kidding.
Thing is, Philly will make the playoffs and not get a high pick. I don’t see how they can make any deals
February 23rd, 2011 at 12:26 PM
NBA hell for a franchise, also currently occupied by the Utah Jazz but perhaps with all of these roster moves they’ll slowly descend into the abyss again like they did before landing Deron Williams in the first place
February 23rd, 2011 at 12:27 PM
They’ve discussed moving Speights.
February 23rd, 2011 at 12:35 PM
It only took 10+ years, but it looks like the Eastern Conference might not be a complete pile of horseshit now. Only took raiding the West to even approach balance.
Also, I was under the impression that a salary cap prevented small market teams from getting screwed over by their homegrown superstars?
February 23rd, 2011 at 12:35 PM
I don’t think it’s gonna be that slow, Butters
February 23rd, 2011 at 12:49 PM
And Deron Williams not happy with trade. Nice, that was quick.
February 23rd, 2011 at 1:54 PM
Yep he’s mad, hearing he won’t give interviews or anything.
February 23rd, 2011 at 2:09 PM
Oradell. Hometown of Bill Parcells.
February 23rd, 2011 at 2:20 PM
I guess the rumor about Deron going to the knicks was true (like I suspected). So good move for the Jazz in that regard but they should’ve held out for more.
Favors is Melvin Ely 2.0. The only pick of value is the Nets own 2011 pick. But with Deron in NJ, it’ll be like the 10th pick in a crappy draft.