Spurs Brazil
07-31-2007, 06:03 PM
http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/7075794
As we enter the dog days of summer, several free agents in various categories are still in limbo. Let's take a look at the most appealing of these and have a go at which teams might benefit best by signing them.
MATT BARNES (U) is the best of the lot. If his defense is problematic, he's an inspired 3-point shooter and a high-stepping driver. Barnes also tends to make egregious mistakes in the clutch. His particular talents make him a valuable scorer off the bench, a role that apparently dissatisfies him — only because he yearns for starter's money.
He'd provide Cleveland with a much more reliable long-range bomber than either Damon Jones or Donyell Marshall. He'd also mesh with Denver's scheme of things as the recipient of A.I.'s and Melo's left-over shots. Detroit could surely use a hot-shot sixth man. Barnes would most likely have a great shot at starting for the Pacers. Other friendly landing spots would be the Lakers and the Heat. Aside from re-upping with Golden State, Barnes' madcap game would be a perfect fit in Phoenix.
CHRIS WEBBER (U) is the biggest name-player still on the loose. He's certainly the oldest 34-year-old player in the league, but he still retains a modicum of his former skills. He can occasionally hit his line-drive jumpers. Also a jump hook from the right box, but only if his defender buys his fake left. Webber can rebound if there are no opponents in the immediate area. And he's still a wondrous passer.
Defense? Forget it. He's incapable of playing anybody straight-up and his rotations are usually too tardy to be useful.
Even so, Webber's worst failing has nothing to do with his brittle knees or his premature aging. Even when he was a sprightly rookie, he's always been profoundly short-handed whenever a game was up for grabs. Indeed, as the Pistons got deeper and deeper into last season's playoffs, Webber spent more and more time on the pines.
Where, then, might the remains of Chris Webber find a new home?
The only realistic destination would be a championship-minded squad that needs more ball movement in its offense. His passing skills would certainly be maximized in the Lakers' triangle offense, but Webber has little else to offer there. Perhaps Orlando or Houston could use his nifty passwork. Could the Pistons be silly enough to bring him back?
Dallas would be the best landing place for Webber. Because his presence would liven up their ball movement. And because, playing with the likes of Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Terry, Devin Harris and Josh Howard, Webber's chokeability would hardly be noticed.
RUBEN PATTERSON (U) is the best defender who's still homeless. Besides his belligerent defense, Patterson can post-up some, can drive along the baseline like a runaway truck, and can assault the offensive boards. Because of his afflicted jumper, however, he needs to play with a team that doesn't need any offensive production from him.
Patterson's off-the-court antics also make him an undesirable risk for any team that is depending on nurturing young, impressionable players. Moreover, Patterson will quickly become a malcontent if he fails to get the playing time and the shot opportunities that he thinks he deserves.
If he could ever accept a part-time role, Patterson would thrive in Dallas, which desperately needs another rugged defender besides DeSagana Diop. Also in Detroit, Indiana, Memphis, Philadelphia and Toronto. But Patterson would be best suited to put some starch in Washington's limp defense.
EARL BOYKINS (PO) is an erratic, yet explosive scorer. But that's all, folks.
In a perfect world, he'd wind up in Golden State for several reasons:
His lack of defense would go unnoticed.
As would his inability to initiate an offensive set.
As would his difficulty in making accurate passes.
In fact, Boykins would undoubtedly thrive in Nellie's shoot-‘em-up, helter-skelter offense.
ANDERSON VAREJAO (R) is an excellent hustle-player with no discernible offense.
With Iverson and Anthony contributing mega-offense, imagine how much ground Varejao and Marcus Camby could cover on defense. The Pacers could likewise make good use of Varejao, as could the Clippers, the Grizz, Bucks, T-Wolves, Magic, Suns, Kings and even the Spurs. But the Cavs would be extremely foolish not to re-sign him.
DEE BROWN (R) plays fast and loose. DANNY FORTSON (U) is much more trouble than he's worth. MELVIN ELY (U) is a career under-achiever. JANNERO PARGO (PO) is a shoot-first-last-and-always pointless guard. Ditto for EDDIE HOUSE (U). DAHNTAY JONES (R) is an athletic 12th man. MICKAEL PIETRUS (R) has a foolishly bloated opinion of his own exuberant but undisciplined talents. And Cleveland cannot afford to let SASHA PAVLOVIC (R) play elsewhere.
That leaves a collection of virtually useless, unrestricted, used-to-be's such as James Posey, Jalen Rose, Corliss Williamson and Eddie Jones.
In other words, at this point in the off-season, teams will look to significantly improve themselves through trades rather than free-agent signings.
As we enter the dog days of summer, several free agents in various categories are still in limbo. Let's take a look at the most appealing of these and have a go at which teams might benefit best by signing them.
MATT BARNES (U) is the best of the lot. If his defense is problematic, he's an inspired 3-point shooter and a high-stepping driver. Barnes also tends to make egregious mistakes in the clutch. His particular talents make him a valuable scorer off the bench, a role that apparently dissatisfies him — only because he yearns for starter's money.
He'd provide Cleveland with a much more reliable long-range bomber than either Damon Jones or Donyell Marshall. He'd also mesh with Denver's scheme of things as the recipient of A.I.'s and Melo's left-over shots. Detroit could surely use a hot-shot sixth man. Barnes would most likely have a great shot at starting for the Pacers. Other friendly landing spots would be the Lakers and the Heat. Aside from re-upping with Golden State, Barnes' madcap game would be a perfect fit in Phoenix.
CHRIS WEBBER (U) is the biggest name-player still on the loose. He's certainly the oldest 34-year-old player in the league, but he still retains a modicum of his former skills. He can occasionally hit his line-drive jumpers. Also a jump hook from the right box, but only if his defender buys his fake left. Webber can rebound if there are no opponents in the immediate area. And he's still a wondrous passer.
Defense? Forget it. He's incapable of playing anybody straight-up and his rotations are usually too tardy to be useful.
Even so, Webber's worst failing has nothing to do with his brittle knees or his premature aging. Even when he was a sprightly rookie, he's always been profoundly short-handed whenever a game was up for grabs. Indeed, as the Pistons got deeper and deeper into last season's playoffs, Webber spent more and more time on the pines.
Where, then, might the remains of Chris Webber find a new home?
The only realistic destination would be a championship-minded squad that needs more ball movement in its offense. His passing skills would certainly be maximized in the Lakers' triangle offense, but Webber has little else to offer there. Perhaps Orlando or Houston could use his nifty passwork. Could the Pistons be silly enough to bring him back?
Dallas would be the best landing place for Webber. Because his presence would liven up their ball movement. And because, playing with the likes of Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Terry, Devin Harris and Josh Howard, Webber's chokeability would hardly be noticed.
RUBEN PATTERSON (U) is the best defender who's still homeless. Besides his belligerent defense, Patterson can post-up some, can drive along the baseline like a runaway truck, and can assault the offensive boards. Because of his afflicted jumper, however, he needs to play with a team that doesn't need any offensive production from him.
Patterson's off-the-court antics also make him an undesirable risk for any team that is depending on nurturing young, impressionable players. Moreover, Patterson will quickly become a malcontent if he fails to get the playing time and the shot opportunities that he thinks he deserves.
If he could ever accept a part-time role, Patterson would thrive in Dallas, which desperately needs another rugged defender besides DeSagana Diop. Also in Detroit, Indiana, Memphis, Philadelphia and Toronto. But Patterson would be best suited to put some starch in Washington's limp defense.
EARL BOYKINS (PO) is an erratic, yet explosive scorer. But that's all, folks.
In a perfect world, he'd wind up in Golden State for several reasons:
His lack of defense would go unnoticed.
As would his inability to initiate an offensive set.
As would his difficulty in making accurate passes.
In fact, Boykins would undoubtedly thrive in Nellie's shoot-‘em-up, helter-skelter offense.
ANDERSON VAREJAO (R) is an excellent hustle-player with no discernible offense.
With Iverson and Anthony contributing mega-offense, imagine how much ground Varejao and Marcus Camby could cover on defense. The Pacers could likewise make good use of Varejao, as could the Clippers, the Grizz, Bucks, T-Wolves, Magic, Suns, Kings and even the Spurs. But the Cavs would be extremely foolish not to re-sign him.
DEE BROWN (R) plays fast and loose. DANNY FORTSON (U) is much more trouble than he's worth. MELVIN ELY (U) is a career under-achiever. JANNERO PARGO (PO) is a shoot-first-last-and-always pointless guard. Ditto for EDDIE HOUSE (U). DAHNTAY JONES (R) is an athletic 12th man. MICKAEL PIETRUS (R) has a foolishly bloated opinion of his own exuberant but undisciplined talents. And Cleveland cannot afford to let SASHA PAVLOVIC (R) play elsewhere.
That leaves a collection of virtually useless, unrestricted, used-to-be's such as James Posey, Jalen Rose, Corliss Williamson and Eddie Jones.
In other words, at this point in the off-season, teams will look to significantly improve themselves through trades rather than free-agent signings.