duncan228
07-11-2009, 10:27 PM
Money matters most to Ariza, Turkoglu (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/spurs/Week_in_reviewpreview_Money_matters_most_to_Ariza_ Turkoglu.html)
By Douglas Pils - Express-News
Economic times are so hard, NBA free agents are happy to secure deals that would have been big money in 2001.
With most teams saving dollars for the big 2010 free-agent class and a shrinking salary cap, an underwhelming class of contract-seekers hasn't had the best of offers.
Trying to win the big deal right now is like hoping to scratch off the big lottery ticket. They're hoping for the mega-million-dollar prize but happy to get the consolation because it allows them to keep playing.
But it doesn't explain the actions of two knuckleheads — Trevor Ariza and Hedo Turkoglu.
Ariza may have priced himself out of Los Angeles, where the small forward played 82 games for the first time and had a key role in the Lakers' championship. But he still had a chance to go to another contender.
The Cavaliers' LeBron James and Shaquille O'Neal made pitches for Ariza to choose Cleveland as his new home. It sounded like a good idea, and Ariza could have started adding more championship rings to his fingers.
Instead, he took Houston's disabled player exception money — $33.95 million over five years. He joins a Yao Ming-less team that has little chance of repeating a seven-game conference semifinals run since the West has gotten a lot stronger this month.
Ariza played for some bad Knicks and Magic teams, so the five-year pro is more familiar with losing than winning.
Turkoglu has left a championship contender before, bolting for a six-year deal in Orlando in 2004 and missing out on two titles in San Antonio. Granted, the Spurs spent their money that summer locking up Manu Ginobili and Bruce Bowen, but Turkoglu showed then what his career is about.
Dollars, not championships.
After five good years and one great playoff run to the Finals in Orlando, now he's heading to a Raptors team that was 33-49 and a lottery participant. He had an agreement in place to go to Portland, a team many figure will be a tough playoff opponent next spring.
But he shunned that offer.
Add in the fact that Raptors All-Star forward Chris Bosh is likely to bolt after this season as a part of the 2010 class, and Turkoglu's choice looks like he's hoping $53 million over five years goes a long way in Canada.
Because he won't be going a long way into May and June.
By Douglas Pils - Express-News
Economic times are so hard, NBA free agents are happy to secure deals that would have been big money in 2001.
With most teams saving dollars for the big 2010 free-agent class and a shrinking salary cap, an underwhelming class of contract-seekers hasn't had the best of offers.
Trying to win the big deal right now is like hoping to scratch off the big lottery ticket. They're hoping for the mega-million-dollar prize but happy to get the consolation because it allows them to keep playing.
But it doesn't explain the actions of two knuckleheads — Trevor Ariza and Hedo Turkoglu.
Ariza may have priced himself out of Los Angeles, where the small forward played 82 games for the first time and had a key role in the Lakers' championship. But he still had a chance to go to another contender.
The Cavaliers' LeBron James and Shaquille O'Neal made pitches for Ariza to choose Cleveland as his new home. It sounded like a good idea, and Ariza could have started adding more championship rings to his fingers.
Instead, he took Houston's disabled player exception money — $33.95 million over five years. He joins a Yao Ming-less team that has little chance of repeating a seven-game conference semifinals run since the West has gotten a lot stronger this month.
Ariza played for some bad Knicks and Magic teams, so the five-year pro is more familiar with losing than winning.
Turkoglu has left a championship contender before, bolting for a six-year deal in Orlando in 2004 and missing out on two titles in San Antonio. Granted, the Spurs spent their money that summer locking up Manu Ginobili and Bruce Bowen, but Turkoglu showed then what his career is about.
Dollars, not championships.
After five good years and one great playoff run to the Finals in Orlando, now he's heading to a Raptors team that was 33-49 and a lottery participant. He had an agreement in place to go to Portland, a team many figure will be a tough playoff opponent next spring.
But he shunned that offer.
Add in the fact that Raptors All-Star forward Chris Bosh is likely to bolt after this season as a part of the 2010 class, and Turkoglu's choice looks like he's hoping $53 million over five years goes a long way in Canada.
Because he won't be going a long way into May and June.