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Rich get richer Gap widens between NBA's haves and have-notsPosted: Friday July 25, 2003 5:14 PM
Whether it’s tax cuts or the NBA title race, it seems the rich do indeed get richer. Over the past few weeks, the Lakers, Spurs, Kings, T’wolves and Nets each made significant roster moves to get better. They have widened the gap between themselves and the have-nots. Imagine if Brad Miller had gone to, say, the Magic instead. And Gary Payton to the Celtics. And Karl Malone to the Mavs. And Rasho Nesterovic to the Knicks. Now that would have been interesting, no? Not that the NBA’s powers-that-be don’t deserve credit. They have invested the money and made the right moves to get where they are. It’s just that the other 22 teams (not counting the Mavs and Pistons) in the league would at least like to pretend they've got a chance this season. Now onto the 'bag:
Is Gilbert Arenas worth more than $7 million after only one good season (even if it was his second)? Will he succeed or fall flat on his face like almost every other player that has come through Washington? Arenas is a genuine talent. Yes, the Wizards are gambling a lot of money on such a young player, but he has the potential to make those numbers seem like a bargain in a few years. The only real concern about Arenas is his maturity. Any player who takes a shower at halftime -- while in his uniform –- has to make the guy signing his paychecks at least a little nervous.
Next year's NBA season is going to kick butt. There will be so many David and Goliath matchups. Who do you think will be the Davids (teams with unknowns who can give the Goliaths a run for their money) next season? I don’t know if there will be any Davids capable of taking down Goliaths (see above). But as for teams that could surprise, how about the Cavs, Bulls and Grizzlies? The Cavs have some good young talent to go with LeBron James, and the best center in the East in Zydrunas Ilgauskas. The Bulls are starting to put it together, and the Grizzlies will have a full training camp under Hubie Brown, as well as the possible additions of Michael Dickerson and James Posey.
What are your thoughts on Dennis Rodman's signing with the Kings? My Kings sources say there is no truth to the rumors. Rodman reportedly had dinner recently with the Maloof brothers, who own the Kings, but there is no plan to bring him aboard. Still, it wouldn’t surprise me if some team took a chance on Rodman and gave him a look. But at age 42 -- and with all that partying he’s done over the past three years -- it would be a miracle if Rodman could still play.
What do you think of the addition of Juwan Howard for the Magic? Do you think a quality second scoring option in Howard would make them contenders to win the East? Howard is a solid player, but it seems to me he plays the same position as Drew Gooden. Meanwhile, the Magic still don’t have a true center. Until they get a true big man to fill the middle and grab key rebounds, Tracy McGrady and Co. are going to have to settle for just making the playoffs.
Do you think Pat Riley could be pulling a fast one on the Clippers? It has been reported for a long time that he coveted Lamar Odom. Could he have gone after Elton Brand as a way to give Donald Sterling sticker shock and scoop up Odom, the player he really wanted anyway? It’s possible, Michael. After all, Riley isn’t known as the Evil Genius for nothing. But it’s doubtful even Riley would risk $85 million if he didn’t genuinely like Brand. Maybe he truly liked them both, but went for Brand first because Odom was his first choice. It’s an interesting theory. Maybe someday Riley will write another book and tell us if it’s correct.
If Luke Walton makes the Lakers squad this year and they go on to win the title, he could join his father, Bill, as an NBA champion. Would this be the first time in NBA history a father and son won titles as players? No. Matt Guokas and his father, Matt Sr., each won NBA titles in Philadelphia during their rookie seasons. Matt Jr. won with the 76ers in 1967, 20 years after his father won with the Warriors. Also, it’s not quite the same, but Bob and Danny Ferry each share title rings (Bob as GM of the ’78 Bullets and Danny last year as a player on the Spurs).
With Dallas having little hope of signing any key free agents this year, what will be its cap situation in the future? I know I may be getting ahead of myself, but with Raef Lafrentz and Shawn Bradley locked up in multiyear contracts, will the Mavs even have money to be a player in free agency next year? With all those multiyear contracts to guys like Dirk Nowitzki, Michael Finley, LaFrentz and Bradley, the Mavs are capped out for the next few seasons. As of now, it looks like they won’t be a major player in free agency. However, things can change. If the team doesn’t do well, owner Mark Cuban might decide to shuffle the roster and make trades. Such a move could free up more cap space for future seasons.
I like the Bulls’ signing of Scottie Pippen. What he brings in defense and leadership have been well-documented. However, if the Bulls are going to make the playoffs, Eddie Robinson has to show up. What do you think about Pippen joining the Bulls, and would Ira Newble have been a better signing because he's younger and could play starter's minutes in the event E-Rob disappears again? Pippen should provide the Bulls with some much-needed defensive smarts. My only question is how he will hold up amid all the losing and youthful mistakes of his teammates. In that regard, Newble might have been a better fit. As for Robinson, the Bulls shouldn’t count on him. He has been hurt his whole time in Chicago and recently has frustrated management by not returning calls. A change of scenery might be best for both parties at this point.
What is your opinion of the Sonics' guard rotation of Ray Allen, Antonio Daniels, Brent Barry and Luke Ridnour? I couldn't believe when Seattle passed on Reece Gaines to take Ridnour, but time will be the test. Who knows whether Ridnour or Gaines will be the better player? Either way, Seattle is relying on either a rookie (Ridnour), a tweener (Daniels) or a shooting guard (Barry) to be the playmaker this season. Barry did a decent job last year, and my guess is he’ll be their best option at the end of games. But clearly the point guard situation in Seattle is a big question.
Regarding your Rip Van Winkle column (July 21, 2003), you forgot to add the craziest happening of the entire NBA offseason: The Clippers spent money! Yes, they spent $85 million to keep Brand -- the largest contract ever given by Sterling -- but they had to spend some money this season just to get to the league minimum. The real question will be whether they match those offers to Corey Maggette, Andre Miller and, perhaps, Odom. As for those reports that they offered Arenas $60 million, some league execs wonder if they really made Arenas that offer or it was just an attempt to drive up Arenas’ price tag for the Wizards.
Marty Burns covers pro basketball for SI.com. Click here to send Marty a question or comment.
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