===
Miami has been exploring a lot of possibilities, including, three
sources told Yahoo! Sports, recent discussions with the Chicago Bulls
on several trade scenarios that included Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks
for unsigned restricted free agent Ben Gordon, Larry Hughes and
possibly Joakim Noah. Yet, those talks died within the past seven to
10 days and sources said there was no indication they would be
restarted
===
A weird trade but not unworkable. Gordon and Hughes -- good riddance.
Marion could man the PF position for another year or two as we wait
for Tyrus Thomas to mature. (Though Marion's a bit of a whiner.)
The major problem for me is the inclusion of Noah. The cupboard is
bare upfront and he's the only good young player in this deal. If we
can substitute someone else for him, like Noce (who'd be redundant if
we acquired Marion), I'd say go for it.
A frontcourt of Marion, Thomas, and Noah, even for brief stretches of
time, would be interesting to watch.
Why would Miami consider doing that deal if Noah isn't included?
They're not sure that Marion and Beasley both fit on the same team.
They're trying to get something of value for Marion, who's expensive
and a bit of a headcase. They get Gordon, who will look good knocking
down jumpers off passes from Wade. Wade's a two-guard so there's no
need for Gordon to get abused by taller players.
You can't give up two good young players for one older, expensive
player. It's too much. That's why I slotted Noce in there instead.
Also, the Bulls absolutely can't give up a center without getting one
in return, a quality this trade lacks.
That's true, though it's been done before with Marion moving over to
the 3.
>
> They're trying to get something of value for Marion, who's expensive
> and a bit of a headcase. They get Gordon, who will look good knocking
> down jumpers off passes from Wade. Wade's a two-guard so there's no
> need for Gordon to get abused by taller players.
They're trading one head case for another.
>
> You can't give up two good young players for one older, expensive
> player. It's too much. That's why I slotted Noce in there instead.
> Also, the Bulls absolutely can't give up a center without getting one
> in return, a quality this trade lacks.
I agree that the Bulls shouldn't part with Noah. However, if I'm
Riley, I don't take Noce and Gordon. If I really want to move Marion,
I take Noce and a pick. At this point, I wouldn't want Gordon on my
team until he demonstrates that he realizes he isn't a franchise
player. Hell, he isn't even Jason Richardson.
Rizzo
Think about it this way: Wade's gonna get hurt at some point this
season. And next season. And the season after that. Last year, the
Heat had nothing -- *nothing* -- in the backcourt after Wade went
down. Gordon's also insurance against this.
Absolutely not: Gordon in no way comes close to equalling out Wade.
He only makes sense for them opposite Wade - and not much sense at that.
I didn't say he equals Wade. Wade proved this summer that maybe nobody
but Kobe equals Wade in the backcourt.
Miami couldn't score last year when he was out. Beasley will help with
this up front, but that still leaves a need for another scoring guard.
Gordon gives them some insurance there is all. No one's measuring him
for Wade's jock.
> He only makes sense for them opposite Wade - and not much sense at that.
Tough to tell. Wade's a do-everything guard who's presence masks
Gordon's weaknesses (size, ball-handling). If Gordon's job is to
spread the floor, knock down jumpers, hit free throws late -- I think
he can do that.
Really? That was the rap on Baron Davis before last season. You
never know. He's coming up on a contract year too. It behooves guys
to stay healthy no matter what. He has a chip on his shoulder too
right now, not unlike Davis. Did you catch his act in the Olympics?
He's cognizant of being written off and has something to prove. You
can't put an injury to a guy as a given, no matter what his history.
Camby is another example. All are physical players. Camby and Davis
were healthy last year after years of not playing a lot of games.
Both played heavy minutes. Okafor is another example. If I am Riley,
I don't assume Wade misses a chunk. Do I want a good backup? Sure.
Do I want a guy who thinks 59MM is not enough backing up my franchise
player? No way. If I'm Riley, I concentrate on getting a SF or a
Center, if available. Right now they have Mark Blount and Fat ass
Jamaal Magliore at Center. Thus the Noah rumors. I'd be trying to
pry the rights to Kristic from NJ so when Wade is a FA they see that
help is on the way in the form of a 7 footer (his contract in Europe
is up the same time as Wade's is). I wouldn't be dicking around with
Ben Gordon. There are a shit load of guys that can score. If they go
my route they have Wade, Beasley and Kristic and likely a lottery pick
from this year, which is a better nucleus. Plus I think NJ would
covet Marion alongside Carter, Yi, Harris and Lopez to give a veteran
who can defend and give them a shot to do some nice things now. If
I'm Paxson I don't want Marion who is a malcontent as you pointed
out. The dude wasn't happy in Phoenix winning 60 games a year and
wanted out. Apparently South Beach doesn't agree with him either.
Why would you want to bring him in with a bunch of young guys that
play hard and have him bitch all the time about God knows what (not
having a long term deal ?) If I'm Chicago I build with what I have
now with Rose, Hinrich, Deng, Nocioni, Noah, Thomas, Gray, Gooden
Thabo, Hughes et al and let Gordon and his agent go jerk each other
off until Mid November and then trade him for an expiring contract in
a sign and trade.
On a scale of 1-10 how is that for a rant.
Rizzo
Not for the money he's asking. If that was what Riley had in mind,
they would have kept Kapono for less than half that money. Think
about it. Better shooter, less money.
Rizzo
No one's paying Gordon 59 million. That's not even up for debate. Ben
wants/needs a change of scenery, Miami wants/needs a guard. Gordon has
shown a rare ability to score, and score down the stretch, in the NBA.
He's worth a hell of lot more than Jason Kapono.
> Plus I think NJ would
> covet Marion alongside Carter, Yi, Harris and Lopez to give a veteran
> who can defend and give them a shot to do some nice things now.
Nah. NJ's clearing salary for LeBron. Jay-Z's buddy, you know.
> On a scale of 1-10 how is that for a rant.
Pretty good. Who put the clouds in your coffee?
SV (who's missing *something* about California but can't explain what)
About a 7: I've heard better, but Lee Elia and Tommy Lasorda apparently
don't post to this group.
Gordon is a little better - but not much better - than Hodges, Kerr, Turner,
etc.: as you say, a spot-up floor-spreader IF there is someone else at the
opposite guard position to spread the floor out for.
We are about 2 weeks from training camp opening, and he hasn't gotten a real
good nibble yet that I've read - his best option is to either sign the Bulls'
qualifying offer for one year or, if he's looking for a combination of
security and the ability to be young enough for a massive contract in the
future, do a two / three year deal with the Bulls for the $10MM per year they
have offered him.
On the other hand, with only 2 weeks to go until training camp opens, Paxson
still has done nothing this summer (other than win at ping pong) to improve
this team. Waiting for certainty on the Gordon front? No excuse - make
something happen.
False argument. No one is paying him that because he turned it down
seeking more.
>
> > Plus I think NJ would
> > covet Marion alongside Carter, Yi, Harris and Lopez to give a veteran
> > who can defend and give them a shot to do some nice things now.
>
> Nah. NJ's clearing salary for LeBron. Jay-Z's buddy, you know.
Right. Marion's contract is up by then. Which means a huge chunk of
money comes off right at that time...
>
> > On a scale of 1-10 how is that for a rant.
>
> Pretty good. Who put the clouds in your coffee?
>
> SV (who's missing *something* about California but can't explain what)
Wait til January and then we'll talk about CA. I will be sure and
remind you what the weather is like at the time.
Rizzo
Did you ever hear Earl Weaver's manager's corner? That's right in
there with Elia. Tommy is the best ever!
>
> Gordon is a little better - but not much better - than Hodges, Kerr, Turner,
> etc.: as you say, a spot-up floor-spreader IF there is someone else at the
> opposite guard position to spread the floor out for.
>
> We are about 2 weeks from training camp opening, and he hasn't gotten a real
> good nibble yet that I've read - his best option is to either sign the Bulls'
> qualifying offer for one year or, if he's looking for a combination of
> security and the ability to be young enough for a massive contract in the
> future, do a two / three year deal with the Bulls for the $10MM per year they
> have offered him.
>
> On the other hand, with only 2 weeks to go until training camp opens, Paxson
> still has done nothing this summer (other than win at ping pong) to improve
> this team. Waiting for certainty on the Gordon front? No excuse - make
> something happen.
I think they are fine where they are. This kid can play. Give him
two weeks to acclimate to the league.
Rizzo
No one in the future. The Bulls no longer have that kind of money to
offer him, having signed Deng. No one else if clamoring to sign-and-
trade for him. He overplayed his hand, like Bonzi Wells a few years.
If Miami acquires him, you can bet there'll be no 6 year/60 mill
contract that's part of the deal.
> > > Plus I think NJ would
> > > covet Marion alongside Carter, Yi, Harris and Lopez to give a veteran
> > > who can defend and give them a shot to do some nice things now.
>
> > Nah. NJ's clearing salary for LeBron. Jay-Z's buddy, you know.
>
> Right. Marion's contract is up by then. Which means a huge chunk of
> money comes off right at that time...
D'oh, I think you're right. Marion's contract ends with a player
option for 2009/10. He appears to expire at just the right time for a
team wanting to get into the market for James/Wade/Bosh/Anthony. He'll
probably play close to the value of his contract until then too. The
Bulls should try for this trade (without Noah of course).
I don't see Marion in NJ. That team has no real offensive or defensive
identity. Lopez is, at this point in career, worthless. Yi's shown
nothing. Carter wants to leave. That team's needs to blow it up and
start over around Harris and the kids. Get a couple of good draft
picks the next few years. Marion's salary they don't need and he takes
PT from a kid. I see the Nets dealing Carter rather than trying to win
with him.
My point, which you didn't address is that I said who wants a guy who
TURNS DOWN 5/59. It wasn't that he costs that much. The point was
that the guy overvalues himself as evidenced by the contract he turned
down. The rest is just obfuscation.
>
> > > > Plus I think NJ would
> > > > covet Marion alongside Carter, Yi, Harris and Lopez to give a veteran
> > > > who can defend and give them a shot to do some nice things now.
>
> > > Nah. NJ's clearing salary for LeBron. Jay-Z's buddy, you know.
>
> > Right. Marion's contract is up by then. Which means a huge chunk of
> > money comes off right at that time...
>
> D'oh, I think you're right. Marion's contract ends with a player
> option for 2009/10. He appears to expire at just the right time for a
> team wanting to get into the market for James/Wade/Bosh/Anthony. He'll
> probably play close to the value of his contract until then too. The
> Bulls should try for this trade (without Noah of course).
>
> I don't see Marion in NJ. That team has no real offensive or defensive
> identity. Lopez is, at this point in career, worthless. Yi's shown
> nothing. Carter wants to leave. That team's needs to blow it up and
> start over around Harris and the kids. Get a couple of good draft
> picks the next few years. Marion's salary they don't need and he takes
> PT from a kid. I see the Nets dealing Carter rather than trying to win
> with him.
But assuming they are intent to land Lebron and Carter and Marion are
gone in 2010 they don't need to blow it up now. Carter will be a
tradeable expring contract in 2010 which is a big asset as you know.
Marion will be a UFA. So they could get both those guys off the books
at that time without too much difficulty. They'll have Harris at PG,
a seasoned Lopez at C, a seasoned Yi at PF. Marion is a great option
for right now for NJ as a way to keep butts in the seats and present
the aura of competing.. That's the trade I would pursue if I were
both teams. Though I don't know if either has even thought of it.
I'm assuming Gordon's figured this out. He missed his chance this
time. He'll have to sign a shorter, cheaper contract that puts him in
the best position and go for the big money three years from now.
If you're right -- if he hasn't figured this out and isn't willing to
sign a more reasonable contract in a sign-and-trade -- then of course
no one will want him.
> > I don't see Marion in NJ. That team has no real offensive or defensive
> > identity. Lopez is, at this point in career, worthless. Yi's shown
> > nothing. Carter wants to leave. That team's needs to blow it up and
> > start over around Harris and the kids. Get a couple of good draft
> > picks the next few years. Marion's salary they don't need and he takes
> > PT from a kid. I see the Nets dealing Carter rather than trying to win
> > with him.
>
> But assuming they are intent to land Lebron and Carter and Marion are
> gone in 2010 they don't need to blow it up now. Carter will be a
> tradeable expring contract in 2010 which is a big asset as you know.
> Marion will be a UFA. So they could get both those guys off the books
> at that time without too much difficulty. They'll have Harris at PG,
> a seasoned Lopez at C, a seasoned Yi at PF. Marion is a great option
> for right now for NJ as a way to keep butts in the seats and present
> the aura of competing.. That's the trade I would pursue if I were
> both teams. Though I don't know if either has even thought of it.
A decent argument, but it begs the question of who, exactly, the Nets
are supposed to trade the Heat for Marion? Harris would almost
certainly have to be part of the package. (And then who's gonna play
point with Marcus Williams gone?) Maybe Lopez and next year's number 1
gets it done. And there's the question of matching up salaries.
Trading Harris + salary for Marion -- that's standing still at best.
A revised Bulls-Heat trade seems more likely to me.
Hell I wouldn't want him for the minimum anyway at this point. If he
was dumb enough to turn down 5 yrs for 59MM he obviously has ego
problems and a gray matter deficiency.
>
> > But assuming they are intent to land Lebron and Carter and Marion are
> > gone in 2010 they don't need to blow it up now. Carter will be a
> > tradeable expring contract in 2010 which is a big asset as you know.
> > Marion will be a UFA. So they could get both those guys off the books
> > at that time without too much difficulty. They'll have Harris at PG,
> > a seasoned Lopez at C, a seasoned Yi at PF. Marion is a great option
> > for right now for NJ as a way to keep butts in the seats and present
> > the aura of competing.. That's the trade I would pursue if I were
> > both teams. Though I don't know if either has even thought of it.
>
> A decent argument, but it begs the question of who, exactly, the Nets
> are supposed to trade the Heat for Marion?
Rights to Kristic and filler.
Harris would almost
> certainly have to be part of the package.
Maybe, but then again we're not talking about one of the dominant
point guards in the league with Harris either. He's not even a top
ten PG.
(And then who's gonna play
> point with Marcus Williams gone?) Maybe Lopez and next year's number 1
> gets it done.
I wouldn't do that if I'm Jersey because Marion will be gone in a year
and you're giving up two good young players...
And there's the question of matching up salaries.
> Trading Harris + salary for Marion -- that's standing still at best.
Marion's value right now is his salary. Harris is his upside.
>
> A revised Bulls-Heat trade seems more likely to me.
You're probably right. I know of no discussions between Jersey and
Miami. I was just saying that is what I would look to do if I were
Jersey as opposed to Chicago trying to get Marion. I don't like
Marion for the Bulls at all. I think the Bulls should stand pat
unless a deal blows them away. I like YOUR proposal from Chicago's
end, just don't think Miami does it. NO WAY I part with Noah. Thomas
maybe, but he's not overpaid at this point so I keep him another year
and if he doesn't get better, let him walk.
Rizzo
Has Gray shown enough to play extended minutes, as he would certainly
have to, if Noah goes? Is Gooden capable of playing at centre
consistently? Or at all? What of Asik or Simmons? Probably not a lot
happening there, I guess.
BTW, hi everyone. Busy few months, and now I'm in Toronto. This place
seems to be getting quieter and quieter :(
Is BPL happening this year?
Test message -- I've been unable to post to Google Groups for the past
four days.
Hey, study abroad worked out! Cool. When does your stay in North
America end?
I'm now in Minneapolis. You're welcome to visit any time. I'll also be
in Chicago sometime in November, at the end of a week stretching into
a weekend. Once I get my dates, I'll see if the Bulls are in town.
Maybe you can fly in for a game? My job will be paying for the hotel,
so lodging will be taken care of. Marc, td, Granville, and the rest of
you Chicago-based Bulls fans: What do you say?
> Is BPL happening this year?
Yes. I think it's my turn to be commish. I'll register the league this
weekend.
SV
THE HORROR
OUTSTANDING......Let me know about BPL.
I'll be in Chicago Nov 13-16. I'm booking a hotel room for the 13th
(Thu), 14th (Fri), and 15th (Sat). It's a block from the Art
Institute, in the heart of the South Loop.
The Bulls play the Mavericks on the 13th and the Pistons on the 15th.
Who's in?
hey brad!
well, "epic fail" has cooled off, so its back to business as usual.
toronto, eh? i have a friend who lives up there. what do you think of
the area?
lee
BEAT on the Mavs.
>On Sep 24, 8:50 pm, Brad <bradla...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> BTW, hi everyone. Busy few months, and now I'm in Toronto. This place
>> seems to be getting quieter and quieter :(
An exegesis on the Death of Usenet is coming, but Comcast's imminent
dropping of same is one more nail in the coffin. I've made other plans
for access (couldn't forsake all you wonderful folk) but the more
hoops one has to jump through to get one's hoops, well, the fewer that
will do so.
>Hey, study abroad worked out! Cool. When does your stay in North
>America end?
>I'm now in Minneapolis. You're welcome to visit any time. I'll also be
>in Chicago sometime in November, at the end of a week stretching into
>a weekend. Once I get my dates, I'll see if the Bulls are in town.
>Maybe you can fly in for a game? My job will be paying for the hotel,
>so lodging will be taken care of. Marc, td, Granville, and the rest of
>you Chicago-based Bulls fans: What do you say?
Y'know, years ago I had a diesel Rabbit that got 45 MPG (actual), and
I'd do things like hop in the car and drive to Toronto or Chicago on a
whim, to visit friends. These days, I've got to plan ahead, at least.
But I'll make a rendezvous if possible. ('Sides, I owe you a meal.)
>> Is BPL happening this year?
>Yes. I think it's my turn to be commish. I'll register the league this
>weekend.
Excellent. I've already renewed bullspenalleague.net; hope to actually
do something with it this year.
>SV
--
Working email address: <my first name> at <my surname> dot com.
Good to see some of the crew still hanging about. I have a few people
in a little BPL Facebook group (Monsieur Hafner, Kenneth, Lee, and I,
I think) if you can't get in touch with them for this year's league.
(How cool it will be to actually participate and *watch* the games
this year!)
Re the Bulls game - one hundred percent. In a devastating turn of
events, the Bulls don't actually play in Toronto until I fly to
Europe. Just fantastic. (I'm seriously considering pushing my flight
back.) But anyway, I definitely want to visit the city of Chicago, so
what better way to do it. And if we can do a little asbnc-b get
together, too, that would be cool.
Sashank, I'll email you in the next few days to flesh out the details.
The dates sound fine to me. Thanks for the generosity.
Toronto's really vibrant and "nice" but it seems to be lacking a
little... something? Personality? I think it might also be that I've
only been here a couple of weeks, so I've probably only just scratched
the surface of the things that really interest me - the underground
arts scene, and, er, things like that. The music scene seems great,
though, which is nice. But everyone keeps calling me a hipster :/ I
guess there are worse things.
If anyone is interested, I'll be keeping a blog at
startlingadventures.wordpress.com. Nothing much there at the minute,
but it's coming.
Brad,
You gonna make it to the West coast at all?
Rizzo
Actually, I started the trip in LA, and stayed there for about four
days. Not a big fan unfortunately. I was in NYC for four days too, and
that's more my style - an amazing place.
But I really want to get to San Fran, which I think I'd adore too -
that's more your area, right? - but it will just depend on the costs
and my (in)ability to budget :)
If you get to SF let me know, especially before you book a hotel. The
hotel web folks lie about location all the time. You don't want to
end up in South San Francisco (a suburb that is weak but right by the
airport)....And yes, that is my area. I could have helped you with
L.A. too because there are many parts of LA that are different from
each other. (I'm not a big fan of LA either though I went to
University there in a nice part). Where did you stay?
Rizzo
I'm gonna say something that's gonna get me in trouble.
There's a feeling I get when I meet many Canadians of...vanilla. I
don't mean to say they're mostly white. No, there's a certain eager
politeness that's pleasant at first but never does give way to those
nasty little utterances that are my inner monologue. I don't know if
that makes them boring or me a bad person, but it's an empirical fact
in my experience with Canadians.
You should try to find Fistpout while you're there.
> If anyone is interested, I'll be keeping a blog at
> startlingadventures.wordpress.com. Nothing much there at the minute,
> but it's coming.
Nicely done so far. Keep writing (and keep reminding us you're
writing).
"Reserved" is how I would put it.