Point Imperfect
Does anyone want this man?Blame it on Chris Paul‘s inhuman ’07-08 season, but now everybody wants a point guard — the position has become more coveted than finding a solid center, turning the old saying, “You can get guards anywhere” out the window. The Knicks are looking for a decent PG, and word is that as soon as they get one, Stephon Marbury is gone. So why didn’t they just draft Jerryd Bayless or D.J. Augustin? First, management felt Danilo Gallinari was too good to pass up. Second, there are a ton of experienced point guards available this summer through free agency and trades. The Knicks could try to sign someone inexpensive like Chris Duhon (whose party game would reach such Hall of Fame levels in NYC that he’d need a reality show), and don’t forget hometown hero Sebastian Telfair is a restricted free agent … Another native New Yorker on the market is Jamaal Tinsley. As expected, the Pacers’ acquisitions of T.J. Ford and Jarrett Jack signals the end of the road for “The Abuser” in Indiana. The team is trying to trade the 30-year-old (he’s only 30?), who was actually having one of the best seasons of his career last year — getting some light All-Star talk at one point — before, of course, injuries got in the way. If Indy can’t trade him, Tinsley will be bought out. The Pacers should aim for a big in any trade for Tinsley, since right now they’re working with Troy Murphy, Jeff Foster, Roy Hibbert and Rasho Nesterovic. (Who wins in a 40-yard dash between Roy and Rasho?) … Swear on everything we read this in yesterday’s New York Post: “The Bulls, who desperately tried to get David Lee in the Eddy Curry deal three years ago, are also expected to shop Kurt Heinrich and restricted free agent Ben Gordon.” Kurt Heinrich? This is a major newspaper we’re talking about … Kirk Hinrich had been mentioned in a lot of trade talk before the draft, and it’s only increased now that Derrick Rose is in town. (How did Kirk feel watching John Paxson gush over Rose on draft night? Did Kirk see the one Rose interview during draft week where he talked about Chicago having “good guards” but only mentioned Gordon? Do you think Rose’s people were told that Hinrich would definitely be out of his way by the time the season starts?) The latest rumor has Hinrich involved in a deal with the Nuggets that would include Marcus Camby going to Chicago. That doesn’t make sense on the Nuggets’ end. They need all the defense they can get. Chicago seems committed to going with Joakim Noah and Tyrus Thomas as its frontcourt anchors of the future, but adding an All-Star caliber defensive force isn’t the worst thing in the world to get in exchange for a (now) backup point guard … After we told you yesterday about the Szczerbiak/Damon Jones/Varejao-for-Baron Davis trade rumor, here’s another crazy-sounding one involving the Cavs: Danny Ferry reportedly offered Wally (well, Wally’s expiring contract) to New Jersey for Vince Carter. The Nets quickly said no. How do you think a team with LeBron and Vince could do in the East? If you replace Wally with VC straight-up in this year’s Cavs/Celtics series, does Cleveland get past Boston? … Meet the LeBron of the WNBA: Atlanta Dream guard Betty Lennox, the league’s third-leading scorer (19.7 ppg) who dropped 44 points, 9 boards, 7 assists and 3 steals in her last game. Betty is doing it all, but her team stinks — the expansion Dream have opened the season 0-14 … Kobe‘s response to Shaq‘s “Tell Me How My Ass Tastes” track: “I didn’t take it any kind of way whatsoever,” Kobe said after a Team USA practice over the weekend, then refused to answer any more questions about it … We’re out like Tinsley …
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June 30th, 2008 at 12:24 am
Jeffco says:
i read some talk about odom/radmanovich for VC!
you guys should look that up dime
just a curious note!
June 30th, 2008 at 1:09 am
Coach T-sun says:
dime, they didn’t give telfair a qualifying offer hes NOT a restricted Free Agent
http://www.startribune.com/sports/wolves/22202594.html
June 30th, 2008 at 1:51 am
BxBaller says:
Steph is still better than all the point guards that are available. Knicks should just hold on to him.
June 30th, 2008 at 3:27 am
Coop says:
he’s better talent-wise but when you subtract his ‘leadership qualities’ then he’s not much better than an Anthony Carter or Steve Blake, is he?
June 30th, 2008 at 3:27 am
marcus the great says:
i’m the best point guard in the world
June 30th, 2008 at 3:33 am
kb24! says:
That Survey with Ricky Davis and Stef is killing me. lol thats F#$%#$ up! But I’d rather have Ricky buckets. So he can amaze us during practice with his dunks.
June 30th, 2008 at 3:57 am
ninja cool says:
go to italy starbury and bring your titanic ego with you
June 30th, 2008 at 5:03 am
Big Daddy says:
Funny how everyone looking for point guards as the savior and key to winning when it’s widely acknowledged that a decent big man defensive anchor in the paint and some kind of killer scoring guard (unless you have MJ and then it’s just the latter that’s reqd) is generally what’s reqd to be the champs…
Look at last 5 champs – Celts, Spurs, Heat, Pistons, Lakers. They all follow that formula generally…
Prior to that we had the Bulls (who don’t count cause of the MJ factor) and the rockets…
June 30th, 2008 at 5:07 am
s says:
ego? He’s just plain ol’ full of crazy at this point!
June 30th, 2008 at 5:19 am
Big Daddy says:
I’d take Davis over Steph purely cause he’s the cheeper of the bench warmers and easier to cut.
Compare him to a malcontent with a similar contract size and that would be interesting (not sure who that would be – Artest is nearly there though)
June 30th, 2008 at 5:53 am
Remy N says:
Lakers needs to hang on to LO, he played a big role in the Denver, Utah, and SA series. When Bynum returns, he will name the #5, Gasol at the 4, and Odom at the 3, his natural position.
PS………….Please enlighten me on this.
Why is the majority of Lakers fans think Kobe is better than Shaq? During Shaq prime, Shaq moniker was Most Dominant Ever! It was too long ago either. Nowadays Lakers fans boo Shaq. Say it ain’t so!
June 30th, 2008 at 6:01 am
len-e says:
that betty lennox stuff was weird as hell!!!
June 30th, 2008 at 7:40 am
Ashlov says:
Luckily there’s a ton of point guards available this offseason. According to an article in today’s Sun Sentinel, the Heat don’t want to offer more than a two year contract to anyone, so they can be ready for Armageddon in 2010.
That being said, the safer bets to plug the holes in point guard and center are Sebastian Telfair and Kwame Brown. I don’t think anyone else will settle for two years, unless they’re an UFA who didn’t get the money they wanted, and just want a one year deal, and try again next offseason.
June 30th, 2008 at 8:27 am
Celts Fan, "Kobe, Tell me how my @$$ tastes" says:
Dime, any plans on when you’re announcing who won those Tees?
June 30th, 2008 at 8:35 am
MBE18 says:
If the Wizards do not resign Jamison and want to keep Arenas around, they should consider trading Antonio Daniels and Etan Thomas for Zach Randolph.
June 30th, 2008 at 9:02 am
doc says:
Lebron,good D and any halfway star could do some serious damage in the league.
June 30th, 2008 at 9:18 am
miamiVIS3 says:
Is Etan Thomas supposed to be playing this year?
June 30th, 2008 at 9:25 am
Kobeef says:
@Dime
“How do you think a team with LeBron and Vince could do in the East?”
You should ask Jay-Z this question…he may have a few thoughts on the issue.
Apparently RJ is pissed about going to Milwaukee. Is RJ the next player (after Marion) to “pull a Sprewell” and become completely delusional about his talent? I think so. The guy is good but he’s no superstar. \
In similarly weird news Milwaukee is now trying to get rid of Charlie V….shouldn’t they have kep Yi if they were going to do that?
Hinrich is going to get the Bulls a good player with all the teams that need a PG. I don’t see the value in David Lee to Chicago as they already have a few PF’s (Tyrus, Gooden) but I could see them shipping Kirk for a solid, young Center prospect.
June 30th, 2008 at 9:31 am
Damon says:
@ kobeef
the bucks now have jefferson and alexander at the three, as well as desmond mason who can play the 2 and 3. i think they need to unload one more sf.
June 30th, 2008 at 9:32 am
Damon says:
of course unload one of the four they have, not only the three i named.
June 30th, 2008 at 9:34 am
Logan Light says:
The poll question today is hilarious! I would take Starbury in a minute over Mr. Buckets. It seems like whatever team Ricky gets burn for is heading for the lottery… maybe he should market himself as such and get huge contracts from teams that desperately need that number one pick – hello Clippers.
I saw the rumor with Baron yesterday and it made me daydream… Boom Dizzle and the King would be so sick I’m already taking antibiotics just thinking about it…
Bad deal for Hinrich too. What exactly did he do wrong? He’s got a great jump shot, he’s adequately quick and athletic enough, and plays better defense than he gets credit for. There are several teams in the L that could use his skill set as a starting guard… but if he didn’t start, what if the Spurs picked him up as a Tony Parker backup? That would be nice.
I hate the spurs though… had to slip that in.
LL
June 30th, 2008 at 9:35 am
Skeeter McGee says:
It’s not like VC is a lights out shooter, if anything he’s a rich man’s Larry Hughes and look how that worked out…
Granted, LeBron has never had any player of that caliber on his team but what he needs is a Ray Allen or Michael Redd, or hell, even a Mike Miller would do.
Being a Cavs fan I hope they trade Wally because a.) we’d have cap space out the frame and b.) I wouldn’t have to watch a guy who could only beat me in a game of Horse, nothing else…guaranteed.
Chicago gets a shit ton of talent but either trades it away or players just don’t pan out. Elton Brand, Ron Artest, the list goes on. Remember how sick Eddy Curry was with Ty Chandler? Isiah does and probably wishes he never fell for that shit…
I’m out like Shaq in a cop uni…
June 30th, 2008 at 9:43 am
Big V says:
Coop,
So you’re saying that once you factor in Steph’s lack of “leadership ability”, he’s on par with guys like Anthony Carter or Steve Blake? So you’re saying that those guys have more “leadership ability” than Steph? GTFO. Steph’s been on crappy team after crappy team and leadership starts with a system that works and a coach that works, two things that Steph has never really had, at least not as a Knick. You can say what you want about him, he’s still (almost) a 20-10 career guy and once he gets en route to the rack, he’s either finishing, shooting free throws, or both.
June 30th, 2008 at 10:13 am
Top_Gun says:
Found something really interresting about Jordan and Eric Gordon/
http://www.121s.com/viewtopic.php?t=33916
June 30th, 2008 at 10:15 am
Damon says:
wouldn’t an almost 20-10 for stephs career mean its at least close? hes at 19.7 and 7.9, cmon now.
and those stats are great, but you shouldn’t take them to talk about his game now, he just has played his best basketball, plus he is cancer. like one guy said, its not the ego, hes just crazy.
that being said, he can still be better than anthony carter or steve blake. but at least you know that those guys will do their job and not do some silly things.
June 30th, 2008 at 10:16 am
miamiVIS3 says:
@ top gun
that’s insane
June 30th, 2008 at 10:37 am
Big V says:
Damon,
20 and 8 is what I meant. My bad. He “can be better” than Blake or Carter. I beg to differ. He IS better than both of those guys. The “silliness” that occurred this past season is just as much a result of Zeke’s horrendous management and leadership as it is a reflection on Steph or anyone else.
June 30th, 2008 at 10:45 am
that's whats real says:
the post ain’t a major newspaper
it’s a tabloid
June 30th, 2008 at 11:15 am
that's whats real says:
the only way Marbury can improve a team is by leaving it
June 30th, 2008 at 11:46 am
garbageman33 says:
The only thing Steph will be remembered for in New York is the immortal line, “Are you gonna get in the truck?”
June 30th, 2008 at 11:53 am
hahns says:
lol eric gordon in space jam!! dime…you gota interview eg again and ask him about that. so funny.
its so sad to see starbury waste his talent like this. talent wise, hes def a top10 pg in the league…but the guy is a total head case…after the knicks let him go i wonder what kind of team is going to sign him…if any. danillo’s old team? maybe he can hook marbury up.
June 30th, 2008 at 11:58 am
miamiVIS3 says:
I remember Steph saying he was gonna opt out I think and play in Italy this year. Anyone else remeber that?
June 30th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Flip says:
Props to the New York Post for recognizing that Kirk Hinrich’s last name originates from the German “Heinrich”.
June 30th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
Montel says:
still pushin’ the Telfair campaign huh? Damn DIME, can’t get enough of hometown stars….BTW LANCE STEPHENSON SUCKS ASS
June 30th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
garbageman33 says:
Funny how New York City point guards are so heavily hyped, but rarely amount to anything. Kenny Anderson, anyone?
June 30th, 2008 at 12:46 pm
BxBaller says:
Thanks for backing my argument Bid V, people tend to forget how talented Steph is. Besides Steph isn’t crazy, he just has a real big ego. Factor in that, Marbury hasn’t been the focal point of the offense the past two seasons, plus his dad passing, and the injuries are reasons why is numbers are down. And that I blame on Isiah somewhat for trying to make E-City the primary option on offense.
June 30th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
johnsacrimoni says:
@Damon
Charlie V is their only PF (using the term “power” loosely here) and don’t forget their second rounder looks like he might be usable. I’ve heard Alexander say he might play some 4, and while he certainly looks strong enough, he doesn’t seem to play “big”. Bogut is an OK rebounder, but where is the interior D and rebounding going to come from? They need an Okafor type to plug next to Bogut and a pass-first PG.
June 30th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
johnsacrimoni says:
If they can balance out the roster I think Skiles can really improve this team.
June 30th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
HBooyah says:
BxBaller – I agree. Keep in mind Steph’s dad passed away and the Knicks didn’t TELL HIM. They chose to keep it a secret so they could keep their boy on the court. That is just not right. Nobody could recover from that to trust their team again . . . it’s understandable why he went off his rocker.
The Knicks have, again and again, surrounded Steph with players that do not compliment his playing style. Not saying he’s awesome or anything – I think the guy definitely has some on-court issues as well as off-court, but come on, how does a run and gun point guard play with Z-Bo and Curry?
If they release him, does another team pick him up? Or is he Sprewell 2.0?
June 30th, 2008 at 3:26 pm
DJ Go Go Gomez says:
One deal I think makes sense for both sides but I haven’t really seen anyone talk about is Artest and Kenny Thomas (to match salaries) for Odom. The Lakers get exponoentially “tougher” like Phil wants and the Kings get cap relief. Looks good to me. I’m here in Sac and word is whomever wants Artest is going to have to take one of the Kings’ bad contracts. That’s just street talk tho.
June 30th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
WTF says:
…at least Ricky Buckets still got trade value, unlike Starbury whose value is as cheap as the shoes.
June 30th, 2008 at 8:31 pm
Ding Dong We Got Danilo Gallinari? says:
“Kurt Heinrich” and 90% of the available PG free agents are not CP3 calibre. Sounds like a bit of an overreaction.
How does putting VC with Lebron improve their team? Both guys need the ball in their hands. Both guys can’t post up. Both guys aren’t great defenders. Both guys love the 3.
Marbury is good for one thing in the L. His expiring contract.
I think Kobe said “Needs a bit more sugar”.
June 30th, 2008 at 8:43 pm
todd says:
I think a Lebron and VC combo would take the Cavs out of the East.
VC’s a poor man’s Larry? You have got to be kidding me. Larry was a jacker who couldn’t make shots in the Cavs’ slowdown offence. VC is a proven scorer in that kind of system.
VC, if he’s willing to take the role of sidekick, could potentially transform LBJ and himself into what Pierce turned himself into during the Finals. A guy who was willing to share the ball and play lockdown D.
July 1st, 2008 at 12:13 am
johnsacrimoni says:
I believe he said VC is a “rich man’s” Larry Hughes.