What's up people? Another edition of the Roundup is here. We just finished up All-Star Weekend, and the stretch run is officially in effect now. There's a lot of stuff to get to, too much in fact, so it's going to be catch up time for the next few weeks.
All-Star Weekend is All Good!
As you may have heard, the All-Star Weekend festivities took place this past weekend in the Big Easy. I watched most of it, and I've got to agree with most of the commentary I've seen that it was excellent unlike last year's debacle in Las Vegas. The dunk contest was fun again (I think we're just going to have to accept the fact that it's going to be really good every few years and kind of ho hum in between), and I enjoyed all the other stuff (skills competition, three point contest, etc.) The game on Sunday was a good one as well, which was sorely needed after last year's disaster. All in all, this was just what the league needed, a good weekend with no major incidents, no Pac Man Jones (and let's not forget that he's a FOOTBALL PLAYER), and no reports that things resembled the opening act of 'Cloverfield'. We all now that the NBA gets a slanted review by the NFL and Major League Baseball-loving media, so it is of the utmost importance that things went on without any major drama.
There were also a few guys who got some real national exposure for the first time, which should be a bigger help down the road. Dwight Howard's Superman routine at the dunk contest has the potential to turn him into a big star now, and Chris Paul did well in his job as de facto host for the weekend. Brandon Roy got a chance to show what he can do in the game on Sunday, and did well for himself. Hopefully, this will translate into more television time for all these guys next season. We don't get anywhere near enough chances to see these three guys do their thing on television, but hopefully David Stern and co. will ease up a little and give these guys some of the slots that are being held down by the Bulls and the Heat this season.
In defense of Devean George
Devean George may be the most hated man in the league right now thanks to the hold he put on the pending Jason Kidd trade, and I think it's unfair to him. Everyone bashing him for doing this needs to stop and look at the entire situation. To say that he's being selfish (he is, but so what) and that he should do what's 'best for everyone' is just ridicuous. Let me explain why:
The NBA is his job
Yes, it's entertainment to us but to him, it's work. Each and every one of us does whatever we can within the rules and the law to make our own workplace situation as favorable to ourselves as possible. Whether it's switching divisions or companies or taking cartain assignments so that we get to work with certain people (or get away from others), we look out for ourselves first and foremost. The only things you owe your employers are a good effort, and the best performance you are capable of. That's pretty much it. You don't owe it to them to accept a transfer to another office (which this is, in essence) if you are allowed to veto it. The man wants to preserve his full free agent rights after the season, which would be stripped away if he gets traded. The leagues' agreement with the players states that anyone on a one year deal can veto a trade involving them. It's in the rules; that was put there because guys on one year deals who get traded lose their Bird rights (the right for your team to exceed the salary cap to re-sign you) at the end of the season. George makes a little over $2 million right now; he's a good enough player that someone might be willing to give him a little more than that next season. If someone wanted him and was willing to give more than he's making now, the Mavs could do a sign-and-trade where they signed him to a bigger contract and traded him to the team that wants him. At least he has some control there. If he just went along with the trade to New Jersey, the Nets would probably cut him loose after the season and he'd have to probably settle for the league minimum on a new team. That's a potential difference of two to three million dollars, which may not matter when you're making Lebron money (actually it does), but is huge when you're at the lower end of the salary structure. Looking at all that, I understand why he took the stand that he did.
More trades!
With all the George drama over, the Kidd trade finally did go through, but at the end of the day I don't think it helps the Mavericks much. They need a heart transplant more than they needed another point guard. I don't think Kidd will get them any further than Devin Harris would have, even though he's a better player. Now can he make them better offensively? Yes. The Mavs haven't been as smooth on offense since a certain two-time MVP left town, and Kidd could re-establish the fast break there while shoring up the halfcourt offense as well. So you could see an improvement in the win-loss column and a higher scoring output. But in the playoffs there are still going to be close games that require your big stars to take and make big shots. And as long as their best player allows himself to be guarded by smaller men (like Tracy McGrady, Stephen Jackson, and Bruce Bowen) and forced into shooting fallaway jumpers that don't go in, they're going home early.
One trade I did like was the Mike Bibby deal. I think that in time he'll prove to be just what the hawks needed. They've gone without a decent one ever since Jason Terry was traded, and the results have been atrocious. They've been employing a continuing stream of backups with awful results, but now they have a guy who should be able to get the ball their wing players and relieve the overworked Joe Johnson of the ball handling responsibilities. This could solidify their push for a low playoff seed, which would be a major step up from last season.
OK, that's it for this week. Until next time....
The only thing I figured out, is that you will have a headache after reading this unreal stuff. Nothing interesting!
Sounds perfect to me. I have read this post with a great pleasure. You should write much more often.