Today was the first day that teams could sign free agents and vice versa. Not much earth-shattering news, but some things definitely went down. Not that they should have been surprising or anything.
–Rashard Lewis is officially with the Magic and the Magic are officially absolute idiots. I mean not only are they handicapping themselves with Rashard Lewis, they got completely outclassed by Seattle. The Sonics end up with a sign-and-trade and garner a *gasp* 9 million dollar trade exemption. Meanwhile Orlando blows their money and don’t even really get what they need. This is completely different than Grant Hill signing with them because at that time Grant Hill was the man. Rashard Lewis is barely as good as a hobbled Grant Hill right now. That may be a bit extreme but hey I would almost rather take Grant than Rashard. Yeah I said it. Negative points to Rashard for even thinking the Magic could make the playoffs next year.
–Gerald Wallace is going to stick with the Bobcats says the reports. Officially no more excuses for the Bobcats. They have it all except for experience. PG…Raymond Felton, check. Shooters…Matt Carroll, Hermann, perhaps even Adam Morrison? Check. Atheltic wings..Gerald Wallace, Jason Richardson..check. Big men…Emeka Okafor, Sean May, Hermann…check. Honestly, I know its the Bobcats and I don’t know how many teams they are going to leapfrog but what do they not have? Honestly, someone explain to me how this team is not built to make a little bit of noise in the Eastern Conference. Someone argue this with me. Keeping Wallace was big-time.
–Darko is signing with the Grizzlies. Good job Orlando, your stupidity actually may have breathed live completely back into Memphis. The Grizzlies immediately answer their need for ANYONE else to play with Pau Gasol. Now you have two versatile post guys. Major step in the right direction for Memphis in my eyes. They are young in all the right places. Darko will finally get the chance to do his thing so we will see where his ceiling is at. Either way I think he’s a major upgrade from Stromile ‘I haven’t played a real game since 2002’ Swift. Whatever happened to the Stro-Show anyways? I like their athelticism with guys like Rudy Gay, Tarence Kinsey, Hakim Warrick, Stromile and co. The keys are going to be if Conley can run the show, how Kyle Lowry is going to fit in and how loose is Ivaroni going to let these guys go. They have to run and gun to smell a chance at success.
–Toronto inked Maceo Baston and Jason Kapono. You know it is a slow free agency when these two make the news. But honestly, Baston is a Euro-Star (ala Anthony Parker) and Kapano has a stroke. Toronto is just stacked up…I honestly see them taking over the East within the next two years. Suns of the East anyone? Kudos to Colangelo, he has earned the benefit of the doubt.
–Summer League…Corey Brewer showed his versatility to overcome a horrific shooting day (1/10) by getting 13 boards and 8 points. That is the difference between him and Durant. Brewer is a guy who can find different ways to put his stamp on the game. If Durant isn’t scoring, uh-oh. But then again when Durant is scoring UH-FUCKING-OH. Detroit beat Washington 80-70 as Arron Afflalo went to the line an obscene 17 times to finish with 21. Nick Young dropped 20. Philadelphia beat Phoenix 104-101. There was no repeat performance for Marcus Banks, smart move by Phoenix. He is about as valuable as he is going to get without getting exposed again. Trade him ASAP. Their rookies did the job though; Alando Tucker dropped 29 and DJ Strawberry had 19. Scary how these guys are going to be in the Suns machine. For Philly it was Thaddeus Young showing off with 20 and 10. Louis Williams continues to not understand that as a point guard it is more about running the squad and less about scoring. 23 points (yay!) and 9 turnovers (BOOO). Lakers beat the Blazers as Javaris Crittenton absolutely demolished Sergio and all who tried to guard him. If I’m the Lakers I’m very please with Javaris and Cody Karl. They need to sign Cody Karl. He is about 20x better than Sasha Vujacic who to me is the most worthless player in the NBA. Martell had 18, which last time I checked is not 20. Pay up Coup.
–This personal sports hell known as July continues tomorrow. The highlight you might ask? More Summer League ball and Women’s Softball World Cup, USA vs. Venezuela. Why? Two words; Jennie Finch. Top 5 MILFS on the planet. Cat Osterman is pretty good looking but then I heard she was a lesbian annnnnd I had to shake my head. Trust me, I know it is sad when I am looking forward to doing a diary of the WNBA All-Star Game. Reference #19.