In the Lane with Licht: Offseason Awards
October 27, 2006
MVGM (MOST VALUABLE GENERAL MANAGER)
EAST: BRYAN COLANGELO – TORONTO – Traded for lightening quick point guard T.J. Ford, traded for center Rasho Nesterovic, signed three key free agents: two-time Euroleague MVP Anthony Parker, athletic two-guard Fred Jones, and Spanish National Team forward Jorge Garbajosa, while using the first overall pick to draft 7-footer Andrea Bargnani. The team needed an infusion of everything…and got it!
WEST: JEFF BOWER – NEW ORLEANS/OKLAHOMA CITY – Drafted a pair of shot-blockers in Hilton Armstrong and Cedric Simmons, traded for 7-1 center Tyson Chandler, acquired sharpshooter Peja Stojakovic through a sign and trade, added free agent guards Bobby Jackson and Jannero Pargo, and re-signed free agent swingman Rasual Butler. The club is deeper, taller, and more athletic.
MOST SURPRISING MOVES
EAST: BIG BEN TO CHICAGO – Pistons center Ben Wallace departs Detroit and signs with the Bulls as a free agent. Detroit’s supposed rationale for trading Darko Milicic in-season was to help free cap space to re-sign Wallace. Now the Pistons have neither their defensive anchor nor their center of the future. The Bulls long search for a defensive stopper in the middle is over.
WEST: BONZI TO HOUSTON – Bonzi Wells turns down over $30 million dollars of guaranteed money to leave Sacramento for Houston as a free agent. He has a one-year deal for about $2 million dollars. Wells says it’s not about the money. Bonzi, it’s ALWAYS about the money.
MOST PREDICTABLE MOVES
EAST: KNICKS FIRED BROWN, HIRE ISIAH – Larry Brown’s dream job became a nightmare and ownership was bound to force Thomas to clean up the mess he made…or join Brown in the ex-Knick coaching club.
WEST: MAVS RE-SIGN EVERYBODY – Despite falling two games short of its first-ever title, Dallas rewards Nowitzki, Terry, Howard, and head coach Avery Johnson with new contracts. As owner Mark Cuban says, “…there’s no down side to being a billionaire…”
LEAST TALKED ABOUT SHREWD MOVES
EAST: “FLIP” JOINS ‘FLIP” – The Pistons bench is significantly improved with the addition of Ronald “Flip” Murray. He helped the Cavaliers down the stretch last season and in the playoffs against Detroit. He’s not afraid to take a big shot, he can beat you off the dribble, and will strengthen what was admittedly a weak bench last season. Along with McDyess, Maxiell, and Hunter Detroit’s second unit may actually help this season.
WEST: JANNERO PARGO – HORNETS/JACKIE BUTLER – SPURS(TIE) – Pargo has never gotten regular playing time since entering the NBA as an undrafted free agent with the Lakers in 2002-2003, but when he did in the ’04-’05 playoffs with Chicago he performed well averaging 10.4 PPG in five post season games. After signing with the Hornets as a free agent from Chicago he averaged 9.6 PPG/4.2 APG and shot .529 from three point range in the preseason. Butler, who never played college and also wasn’t drafted, impressed me with his soft touch around the basket as well as his agility. For the Spurs to trade Nesterovic and replace him with Butler (signed as a free agent from New York) tells me how intrigued they are with his skills.
MOST LIKELY HIGH IMPACT ROOKIES
EAST: ADAM MORRISON – CHARLOTTE – He’ll play a lot because they’re still a lottery team, he’ll score a lot because they need him to, and he’s talented enough to score even when his shot isn’t falling.
WEST: RANDY FOYE – MINNESOTA – He can drive, he can shoot, he’s physical, he’s experienced (4 years of college), and should quickly compliment KG.
MOST OVERHYPED
EAST: CHICAGO – Ben Wallace will anchor the defense, but will be just as much of an offensive liability the Bulls claimed Chandler to be last season. PJ Brown will help up front as well, but is 37 years old and cannot play major minutes. They’ll be improved but not a title contender. Remember, Detroit had Big Ben AND three other all-stars.
WEST: HOUSTON – To draw comparisons to Miami because Van Gundy is a Riley disciple and has stars in the middle and the perimeter is absurd. Truth is, the coach is on the hot seat, Yao’s toe better be better, and T-Mac’s back better be back. Otherwise, the only comparisons with the Heat could be a coach on the way out, an out of shape center, and a superstar without enough help.
NEW ZIP CODE, SAME MAIL
EAST: J.R. REDICK – ORLANDO – After falling a few spots in the draft due to concerns over an injured back, J.R. injured his foot early in camp and missed enough time to delay the rookie’s progress.
WEST: J.R. SMITH – DENVER/BONZI WELLS – HOUSTON (TIE) – J.R. is with his third team in five months (Hornets, Bulls, Nuggets) and after pledging to be a fan favorite in the Mile High City has already drawn the ire of head coach George Karl for his failure to show up early for practice (sound familiar?). J.R. says he’s not a morning person. Hope he changes or he won’t be playing in the evenings either. As for Bonzi, first he turns down a guaranteed, multi-year, multi-million dollar deal to remain in Sac-Town and accepts a one-year deal in Houston. Then, he misses most of training camp and the preseason with an injury and personal problems.
COMEBACK KIDS
EAST: JAY WILLIAMS – NETS/MICHAEL OLOWOKANDI – CELTICS(TIE) – The former Jason Williams, the former lotto pick by the Bulls who nearly lost his life in a motorcycle accident, surprised many with a training camp invitation from NJ. He is still searching for a second suitor. The “Kandi Man” is a former first overall selection who bombed in LA and Minnesota, but is hoping to stick in Boston.
WEST: COURTNEY ALEXANDER – DENVER/AMARE STOUDAMIRE – PHOENIX(TIE) – Alexander is the former Hornet who blew out an Achilles three preseasons ago. He received an invite by George Karl, but like Williams has not caught on with another team yet. Stoudamire is hoping to bounce back from the serious micro fracture knee surgery that has plagued Kenyon Martin, Chris Webber and others. He missed most of last season, but has shown flashes of his old self this month.
PUT UP OR SHUT UP
EAST: STEPHON MARBURY – NY KNICKS – To say he and coach Larry Brown didn’t get along is like saying T.O. and Donovan McNabb clashed. Mr. “Starbury” may believe he’s the most talented point guard in the NBA, but if he fails to put up all-star numbers under Isiah then it’s time to tighten his $15 dollar sneakers and quiet down.
WEST: BARON DAVIS – GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS – Don Nelson is his fifth head coach (this is his eighth season). Baron has been linked to hastening the exit of at least two of the previous four. His talent is unquestioned; his attitude and health are. In theory, he and Nellie (a former roommate of Baron’s first head coach, Paul Silas) should be a perfect match. A sort of Run TMC meets Run and Gun. But if the Warriors’ 12-season playoff drought doesn’t end I doubt they’ll blame the coach.
MOST LIKELY TRADE BAIT
EAST: ALLEN IVERSON – PHILADELPHIA – I know the contract is big, he’s small, and the fans have given up on this group; but, if a post season challenger is going to roll the dice on a large salary they might as well go after a guy with a huge heart, plenty still left in the tank, and more than likely a drawing card in another market.
WEST: KENYON MARTIN – DENVER – George Karl’s contract was extended through 2010. Martin was suspended from the Nuggets’ 2006 playoff roster for cursing at his coaches. So, you ask, why would anybody want a maximum contract player, a year removed from micro fracture knee surgery, who doesn’t get along with his coach? Here’s why: IF his knee is healed, and IF he returns to all-star form there are few forwards in the NBA who can both attack the basket and defend the basket like him. Karl and Kenyon will play nice because they both want the same thing – Martin on another team.
MOST INTRIGUING PRESEASON STORYLINES
EAST: WHICH MIAMI TEAM WILL SHOW UP? Will it be the struggling group of stars that we saw in the first half of last season when they were allowing well over 100 PPG on the road, or the great unit we saw after the all-star break? Will it be the struggling group of stars that we saw in Games 1 and 2 of the NBA Finals, or the great unit we saw in the remarkable four-game sweep that followed?
WEST: HOW HEALTHY WILL AMARE BE? Phoenix could be the best team in the league if Amare Stoudamire returns to 2004-2005 form when he averaged 26 PPG/8.9 RPG and looked like the next great big man in the league. If his knees remain troublesome the Suns will probably be no better than #3 in the West behind Dallas and San Antonio.
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Bob LichtEAST: BRYAN COLANGELO – TORONTO – Traded for lightening quick point guard T.J. Ford, traded for center Rasho Nesterovic, signed three key free agents: two-time Euroleague MVP Anthony Parker, athletic two-guard Fred Jones, and Spanish National Team forward Jorge Garbajosa, while using the first overall pick to draft 7-footer Andrea Bargnani. The team needed an infusion of everything…and got it!
WEST: JEFF BOWER – NEW ORLEANS/OKLAHOMA CITY – Drafted a pair of shot-blockers in Hilton Armstrong and Cedric Simmons, traded for 7-1 center Tyson Chandler, acquired sharpshooter Peja Stojakovic through a sign and trade, added free agent guards Bobby Jackson and Jannero Pargo, and re-signed free agent swingman Rasual Butler. The club is deeper, taller, and more athletic.
MOST SURPRISING MOVES
EAST: BIG BEN TO CHICAGO – Pistons center Ben Wallace departs Detroit and signs with the Bulls as a free agent. Detroit’s supposed rationale for trading Darko Milicic in-season was to help free cap space to re-sign Wallace. Now the Pistons have neither their defensive anchor nor their center of the future. The Bulls long search for a defensive stopper in the middle is over.
WEST: BONZI TO HOUSTON – Bonzi Wells turns down over $30 million dollars of guaranteed money to leave Sacramento for Houston as a free agent. He has a one-year deal for about $2 million dollars. Wells says it’s not about the money. Bonzi, it’s ALWAYS about the money.
MOST PREDICTABLE MOVES
EAST: KNICKS FIRED BROWN, HIRE ISIAH – Larry Brown’s dream job became a nightmare and ownership was bound to force Thomas to clean up the mess he made…or join Brown in the ex-Knick coaching club.
WEST: MAVS RE-SIGN EVERYBODY – Despite falling two games short of its first-ever title, Dallas rewards Nowitzki, Terry, Howard, and head coach Avery Johnson with new contracts. As owner Mark Cuban says, “…there’s no down side to being a billionaire…”
LEAST TALKED ABOUT SHREWD MOVES
EAST: “FLIP” JOINS ‘FLIP” – The Pistons bench is significantly improved with the addition of Ronald “Flip” Murray. He helped the Cavaliers down the stretch last season and in the playoffs against Detroit. He’s not afraid to take a big shot, he can beat you off the dribble, and will strengthen what was admittedly a weak bench last season. Along with McDyess, Maxiell, and Hunter Detroit’s second unit may actually help this season.
WEST: JANNERO PARGO – HORNETS/JACKIE BUTLER – SPURS(TIE) – Pargo has never gotten regular playing time since entering the NBA as an undrafted free agent with the Lakers in 2002-2003, but when he did in the ’04-’05 playoffs with Chicago he performed well averaging 10.4 PPG in five post season games. After signing with the Hornets as a free agent from Chicago he averaged 9.6 PPG/4.2 APG and shot .529 from three point range in the preseason. Butler, who never played college and also wasn’t drafted, impressed me with his soft touch around the basket as well as his agility. For the Spurs to trade Nesterovic and replace him with Butler (signed as a free agent from New York) tells me how intrigued they are with his skills.
MOST LIKELY HIGH IMPACT ROOKIES
EAST: ADAM MORRISON – CHARLOTTE – He’ll play a lot because they’re still a lottery team, he’ll score a lot because they need him to, and he’s talented enough to score even when his shot isn’t falling.
WEST: RANDY FOYE – MINNESOTA – He can drive, he can shoot, he’s physical, he’s experienced (4 years of college), and should quickly compliment KG.
MOST OVERHYPED
EAST: CHICAGO – Ben Wallace will anchor the defense, but will be just as much of an offensive liability the Bulls claimed Chandler to be last season. PJ Brown will help up front as well, but is 37 years old and cannot play major minutes. They’ll be improved but not a title contender. Remember, Detroit had Big Ben AND three other all-stars.
WEST: HOUSTON – To draw comparisons to Miami because Van Gundy is a Riley disciple and has stars in the middle and the perimeter is absurd. Truth is, the coach is on the hot seat, Yao’s toe better be better, and T-Mac’s back better be back. Otherwise, the only comparisons with the Heat could be a coach on the way out, an out of shape center, and a superstar without enough help.
NEW ZIP CODE, SAME MAIL
EAST: J.R. REDICK – ORLANDO – After falling a few spots in the draft due to concerns over an injured back, J.R. injured his foot early in camp and missed enough time to delay the rookie’s progress.
WEST: J.R. SMITH – DENVER/BONZI WELLS – HOUSTON (TIE) – J.R. is with his third team in five months (Hornets, Bulls, Nuggets) and after pledging to be a fan favorite in the Mile High City has already drawn the ire of head coach George Karl for his failure to show up early for practice (sound familiar?). J.R. says he’s not a morning person. Hope he changes or he won’t be playing in the evenings either. As for Bonzi, first he turns down a guaranteed, multi-year, multi-million dollar deal to remain in Sac-Town and accepts a one-year deal in Houston. Then, he misses most of training camp and the preseason with an injury and personal problems.
COMEBACK KIDS
EAST: JAY WILLIAMS – NETS/MICHAEL OLOWOKANDI – CELTICS(TIE) – The former Jason Williams, the former lotto pick by the Bulls who nearly lost his life in a motorcycle accident, surprised many with a training camp invitation from NJ. He is still searching for a second suitor. The “Kandi Man” is a former first overall selection who bombed in LA and Minnesota, but is hoping to stick in Boston.
WEST: COURTNEY ALEXANDER – DENVER/AMARE STOUDAMIRE – PHOENIX(TIE) – Alexander is the former Hornet who blew out an Achilles three preseasons ago. He received an invite by George Karl, but like Williams has not caught on with another team yet. Stoudamire is hoping to bounce back from the serious micro fracture knee surgery that has plagued Kenyon Martin, Chris Webber and others. He missed most of last season, but has shown flashes of his old self this month.
PUT UP OR SHUT UP
EAST: STEPHON MARBURY – NY KNICKS – To say he and coach Larry Brown didn’t get along is like saying T.O. and Donovan McNabb clashed. Mr. “Starbury” may believe he’s the most talented point guard in the NBA, but if he fails to put up all-star numbers under Isiah then it’s time to tighten his $15 dollar sneakers and quiet down.
WEST: BARON DAVIS – GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS – Don Nelson is his fifth head coach (this is his eighth season). Baron has been linked to hastening the exit of at least two of the previous four. His talent is unquestioned; his attitude and health are. In theory, he and Nellie (a former roommate of Baron’s first head coach, Paul Silas) should be a perfect match. A sort of Run TMC meets Run and Gun. But if the Warriors’ 12-season playoff drought doesn’t end I doubt they’ll blame the coach.
MOST LIKELY TRADE BAIT
EAST: ALLEN IVERSON – PHILADELPHIA – I know the contract is big, he’s small, and the fans have given up on this group; but, if a post season challenger is going to roll the dice on a large salary they might as well go after a guy with a huge heart, plenty still left in the tank, and more than likely a drawing card in another market.
WEST: KENYON MARTIN – DENVER – George Karl’s contract was extended through 2010. Martin was suspended from the Nuggets’ 2006 playoff roster for cursing at his coaches. So, you ask, why would anybody want a maximum contract player, a year removed from micro fracture knee surgery, who doesn’t get along with his coach? Here’s why: IF his knee is healed, and IF he returns to all-star form there are few forwards in the NBA who can both attack the basket and defend the basket like him. Karl and Kenyon will play nice because they both want the same thing – Martin on another team.
MOST INTRIGUING PRESEASON STORYLINES
EAST: WHICH MIAMI TEAM WILL SHOW UP? Will it be the struggling group of stars that we saw in the first half of last season when they were allowing well over 100 PPG on the road, or the great unit we saw after the all-star break? Will it be the struggling group of stars that we saw in Games 1 and 2 of the NBA Finals, or the great unit we saw in the remarkable four-game sweep that followed?
WEST: HOW HEALTHY WILL AMARE BE? Phoenix could be the best team in the league if Amare Stoudamire returns to 2004-2005 form when he averaged 26 PPG/8.9 RPG and looked like the next great big man in the league. If his knees remain troublesome the Suns will probably be no better than #3 in the West behind Dallas and San Antonio.
