The Magic losing Darko like that is the crippler when it comes to their dealings in the last 2-3 days. I still think Lewis is an ok fit with Dwight Howard but the team, as it is right now, probably won’t ever get out of the second round. But, this was the only time they had cap room. Immediatly after the Lewis deal was announced the Magic went forwards with signing Howard to an extension. I told SJ earlier, at least when Dwight is in his prime the Magic will have an expiring contract they can use to get a better piece, though they probably won’t knowing that managment group.
Losing Darko is inexcusable. It makes no sense why they wouldnt clear room somehow to get Darko back in, even if you are still paying on potential and upside. You just know Darko is going on to get overpaid by somebody else. But, you can’t fault the players for taking advantage of a market driven mostly by idiots. Lewis has never struck me as a guy with a burning desire for a championship, so taking the money and going to the beach was the most attractive decision to him. Alot of player overrate themselves, aided by their agents, during free agency anyways, so maybe Lewis thinks the Magic have a legit shot. Who really knows?
I do know one thing, is Pat Ewing really the guy you want tutoring Dwight Howard? With all due respect to Mr. Ewing, I’m not so sure mimicking his talent progression (love that 15-footer…) is the right thing for man-beast Howard. I’m still waiting for someone to bring in an Artis Gilmore-Darryl Dawkins coaching tag-team for one year. Imagine if Tim Duncan had that when he was younger? On second though, maybe its not such a good idea…either one of them.
Here’s a quote from the Portland Police department in the Star-Ledger courtesy Casey Holdahl’s Blazer Blog:
“Zach Randolph is definitely a colorful person who we’ve had a lot of contact with,” Portland police Sgt. Brian Schmautz said, pausing to choose his words carefully, “but we wish him all the best in New York.”
I’ve said my piece on Zach in NY and how that is going to work, so, Zeke, have fun, it’s not our problem anymore.
And Seattle is reportedly hiring P.J. Carlisemo as their new coach. I’ve always thought the guy got a bad rep for the Latrell Sprewell incident, and he was decent enough in Portland, but I am continually dumbfounded at certain team’s unwillingness to go out and find new talent. At least they didn’t hire Larry Brown.
Did you know baseball is going on? Haven’t gotten tired of the same highlights of diving catches and home runs yet have you? I have to admit, watching Omar Visquel and Derek Jeter play SS is very enjoyable for that 2-3 seconds something amazing happens. Love it when Vladdy Daddy guns someone down at home from the field, but this time of year, there is honestly just not enough that is interesting to hold me infront of a game unless a pitcher has a no-no going. I’m relatively pissed at the Yanks for plodding through the season, but more so just because it’s just kind of boring. Been a pretty boring regular season so far actually, even by baseball standards. Wake me in August.
Barry got No. 751 for those of you that care. I just want him to do it already so it can be over. Baseball purists can be so hypocritcal about this record. Stop pretending that baseball is oh-so-perfect and anything bad should be ignored and hidden away. The guy is getting his record, and you can either support it or hold a bitter grudge for the rest of your life. I’ll get up on my soapbox and say if you are taking the second route then you probably aren’t happy in your life and need something to focus your anger on. That probably too general of a statement but honestly folks, lets all just get over it and move on. In about a month it won’t matter. Arod will probably break the record anyways. Going to get mad about that to just because you think he’s a ninny?