The Blazers Are Gonna Be Sick in 2009, Monta Ellis Gets Some Help, and WNBA Malice in the Palace
Brandon Roy, Dime #40As if the Blazers haven’t already been making this whole “rebuilding” thing look like cake, remember that they’ll also have a ton of cap space for 2009, when Steve Francis ($17 million), Raef LaFrentz ($12.7M) and Steve Blake ($4.5M) come off the books, and Portland could decide to also let Martell Webster ($5M), Channing Frye ($4.2M) and Ike Diogu ($3.9M) walk and have that money to use as well. The potential free agent class that year? Allen Iverson, Jason Kidd, Shawn Marion, Lamar Odom, Devin Harris, Danny Granger, Ron Artest Andre Miller, Marvin Williams, Ray Felton, Jason Maxiell, Paul Millsap, David Lee and Jamario Moon, to name a few. Then there are the ‘08 restricted FA’s who could be unrestricted in ‘09: Josh Smith, Andre Iguodala, Emeka Okafor, Luol Deng, Ben Gordon, etc. And there are a few big-name dudes who can opt out of their deals and be on the market in ‘09, like Carlos Boozer, Hedo Turkoglu, Mehmet Okur and Kobe … We figured Marcus Williams wasn’t long for New Jersey after they picked up Keyon Dooling, and fortunately for him he landed in perhaps the best spot possible with yesterday’s trade to Golden State. Monta Ellis is penciled in to start at the point as Baron Davis‘ replacement, but the Warriors need one or two true PG’s on the roster in case Monta struggles learning his new position or for those times when you want him to slide over to the two. Williams has talent, he’s just never been in a situation where he was able to really show it. He backed up a future Hall of Famer when J-Kidd was in Jersey, and then Devin Harris came in with a lot of hype as the future of the franchise. Plus Williams will be playing closer to his hometown in L.A. … Big win for the Spurs in re-signing Kurt Thomas. Earlier in the day we looked at San Antonio’s offseason needs, and bringing back someone like Thomas definitely helps keep them near the top. Come back to DimeMag.com later today to see which team we’re breaking down next … The Team USA/select team scrimmages aren’t being televised, but word out of Vegas is that O.J. Mayo is looking real good against the national squad … Re-signing Tony Allen and Eddie House was cool, but the Celtics still need a backup point guard who can actually bring the ball past halfcourt under mild pressure, and ideally one who didn’t break into the League when Harold Miner was still famous … What is it about the Palace? Last night’s Shock/Sparks WNBA game saw the ladies re-enacting Artest/S-Jack vs. Ben Wallace/Earth when Candace Parker and Cheryl Ford (Karl Malone’s daughter) were involved in a brawl, clearing both benches. At one point somebody on the Sparks was actually punching Detroit assistant Rick Mahorn in the back of the head, and Ford ended up being taken off in a wheelchair when she got hurt in the melee … In the Rocky Mountain Revue summer league, Acie Law dropped 27 points (11-for-11 FT’s) and shut down Spurs rookie George Hill in what honestly might have been Acie’s best game since he was at Texas A&M, but the Hawks lost a close one … Golden State’s trio of Jamont Gordon, Anthony Morrow and Anthony Randolph were like the summer-league version of Monta, S-Jack and, well, Anthony Randolph, combining for 67 points against the Mavs. Gordon (76ers) and Morrow (Nets) have put in work for two teams so far this summer. They should both earn at least a training camp invite, if not a lucrative overseas offer. You’ll see these two in the League in games that count someday … Score one for the NBA. Will Bynum, who’s been making a nice living overseas and had several big-money offers from teams across the water this year, instead agreed to take a two-year deal from the Pistons after he impressed them in the summer leagues. Shouldn’t the Knicks have gone after a guy like Bynum rather than Anthony Roberson? … Ex-Tennessee star Chris Lofton got a look with the Nuggets summer league squad, but honestly didn’t do anything to stand out. He just signed with a pro team in Turkey, where he’ll be teammates with ex-Bobcat Kevin Burleson (the NBA’s record-holder for most consecutive field goals missed, when he bricked 31 straight a couple years ago) and ex-Maryland sniper Michael Jones … Can we please get some more basketball on TV? The summer leagues are cool and everything, but the Olympics needs to start yesterday. We’ve been reduced to watching “From G’s to Gents” to pass the time. We wouldn’t be surprised at all if DerMarr Johnson popped up on that show … We’re out like Lofton …
July 23rd, 2008 at 2:45 am
solomon (the artist formerly known as the real marcus) says:
numero uno!
July 23rd, 2008 at 2:50 am
bill says:
patience for portland – make the t shirts now
July 23rd, 2008 at 2:51 am
sans says:
Yeah Rip City is looking superhuman in the executive suites. I wish the Cavs were like that, but Danny Ferry is no Kevin Pritchard. Handing out all of their draft picks like Halloween candy and hand me down clothes…just throw PDX Shawn Marion (if he’s cheap) or Marvelous (if he doesn’t blow up) and they’ll contend by ‘10.
July 23rd, 2008 at 2:54 am
bill says:
actually triple p
patience
potential
portland
* Then if Greg Oden looks like Triple H when he returns well…
July 23rd, 2008 at 2:59 am
daQUeStIoN oR sImPlY Q says:
hahaha from g’s to gents, that show is good and demarr def needs to b there , so does a couple of players like artest, kenyon, jr smith…oh and portland’s gm is the best ever. that guy could make the knicks win a championship in like a year or two
July 23rd, 2008 at 3:12 am
Bruce says:
Will Bynum — I don’t blame him, every baller wants to play in the NBA. Screw the money, I’m chasing stardom.
Twenty years later, he can tell his grandkids, he played in the NBA.
Where dream happens………………
July 23rd, 2008 at 4:43 am
bill says:
bynum very underrated pickup – no all star but a very solid player and welcome addition to most rosters!
July 23rd, 2008 at 4:47 am
solomon (the artist formerly known as the real marcus) says:
yeah, new york needs kevin pritchard… make that happen, stern, and the L is saved…
July 23rd, 2008 at 5:32 am
basketball god says:
by summer of 09, they need to ink lamarcus, oden, broy and whoever they want in their current lineup… portland 07-08=the anti knicks/ atlanta/ clippers of early 2000… if you know what i min boy….hahaha
July 23rd, 2008 at 5:45 am
dmitry of jersey says:
before you plan portland’s championship parade, take a sec to remember that EVERY SINGLE ONE of their “core” players is a significant injury risk who has missed major time in the L already. and they’re all young.
either they pull a Zydrunas Ilgauskas and overcome the odds, or they will become a team-wide version of Baron Davis’ career.
July 23rd, 2008 at 6:37 am
loganlight says:
Hahaha! G’s to Gents? That’s rough…
No doubt the Blazers are going to be LEGIT for the next 8 seasons… Someone call Kevin McHale and let him know that Portland could use Al Jefferson for Steve Blake and a draft pick. Sound familiar? That’s how close we are to declaring the Blazers as champs.
DIME- I just landed a set of MJ pogs from 98… Yes, POGS. Want to make a trade?? Haha.
LL
July 23rd, 2008 at 6:54 am
shake&bake says:
I’m happy to see Will “The Thrill” Bynum get back in the league. I hate that damn show G’s to Gents, but I can’t stop watching, dammit.
July 23rd, 2008 at 7:12 am
Yoooo says:
So ur saying Ilgauskas has had a better career than Baron?… Smoke less dope.
July 23rd, 2008 at 7:29 am
92021SpurMD says:
I was actually watching the Sparks/Shock game and saw it all go down. Let’s just say that CP3 is in a fierce mood whenever she’s on the hardwood. She got into it the play before with Cheryl Ford, but it was Pierson who was actually “fighting” with Parker. Anyway, off of a free throw, Pierson boxes out too hard, Parker throws her to the ground, falling in the process. Pierson stands over CP3 to keep her from getting up, Parker slams her down. Big shuffle. Ford, being a peacemaker, hurts her ALREADY hurt knee in the process (she’d hurt it 10 minutes prior). Rick Mahorn pushes Leslie damn near across the court, which prompted Milton-Jones to hit Mahorn in the back. It was CRAZY!!! Definitely jumped outta bed for this catfight!
July 23rd, 2008 at 7:32 am
92021SpurMD says:
I was actually watching the Sparks/Shock game and saw it all go down. Let’s just say that CP3 is in a fierce mood whenever she’s on the hardwood. She got into it the play before with Cheryl Ford, but it was Pierson who was actually fighting with Parker. Anyway, off of a free throw, Pierson boxes out too hard, Parker throws her to the ground, falling in the process. Pierson stands over CP3 to keep her from getting up, Parker slams her down. Big shuffle. Ford, being a peacemaker, hurts her ALREADY hurt knee in the process, she’d hurt it 10 minutes prior. Rick Mahorn pushes Leslie damn near across the court, which prompted Milton-Jones to hit Mahorn in the back. It was CRAZY! Definitely jumped outta bed for this catfight!
July 23rd, 2008 at 7:49 am
dmitry of jersey says:
so you’re saying you know how to read?
Ilgauskas overcame injuries early in his career to a good center and #2 guy on a Finals team. It remains to be seen if Roy, Oden, and Aldridge can overcome their injury problems in the long term.
Baron’s career is full of 50 game seasons and early playoffs exists.. yeah so he dunked on a few people. Point is if the Blazers collectively replicate Baron’s career they will be a failure.
July 23rd, 2008 at 8:19 am
solomon (the artist formerly known as the real marcus) says:
i hope not… rip city’s crew got tons of promise all over…
July 23rd, 2008 at 8:29 am
rangerjohn (fedor is king) says:
come on dime this is weak today, hedo and okur belong in the “big names” category with kobe and boozer? and then “acie law shut down george hill” but no mention of george hill shutting law down when it counts? locking him up into a jump ball which hill out jumpped and knocked the tip away to win the game, or the 2 freethrows which came from a law foul? or the offensive foul hill drew on law not long before?
WEAK I SAY
July 23rd, 2008 at 8:38 am
miamiVIS3 says:
Morrow played for the heat’s summer league too
July 23rd, 2008 at 8:46 am
Truth says:
@ranger
dang man, you rough today?
July 23rd, 2008 at 8:55 am
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
Everybody this side of AC Green, Cal Ripken, and Brett Favre are injuries waiting to happen. I think its a little premature to say that Portlands young core is injury prone. A 19 year old (oden) can easily come back from injury. On that note I’m also not ready to crown them just yet. They have mad potential for a chip in a few years as long as Pritchard remains in Portland and keeps up his hot streak.
July 23rd, 2008 at 8:56 am
Truth says:
Oh heck naw, dime ya’ll didn’t tell me rick mahorn pushed lisa leslie and was grabbing the coach. I seen some pictures. That looks TOO hilarious. I hope they put that on youtube?
July 23rd, 2008 at 9:00 am
Kobeef says:
The Blazers should not pick up any of the players you listed.
They have a good core and will need lots of money to keep them together. Thankfully Pritchard is smart enough to think long term (unlike Dime).
They will need to hand out at least 3 eight figure contracts in the next 5 years to keep this lineup together and need to save some money for that. Outlaw has an outside shot at an eight figure contract if he keeps scoring like he did last year.
PG – Roy/Blake
SG – Webster/Bayless
SF – Outlaw/Batum
PF – Aldridge/Diogu
C – Oden /Pryzbilla
I like the Will Bynum signing. That guy is fun to watch. Great athlete who kind of reminds me of Nate Robinson but with better PG skills.
July 23rd, 2008 at 9:03 am
Ashlov says:
I remember Harold Miner having a commercial about not wanting to be the next Jordan, but the next Harold Miner. Looks like that worked out the way he wanted it to.
July 23rd, 2008 at 9:30 am
doc says:
Yeah Portland in a nice position.All that dam talent they got.I heard D-Rose doing his thing for the select squad to.The WNBA need a brawl to get some type of pub.Dudes be hating but them broads will bust a lot of they ass.
July 23rd, 2008 at 9:53 am
Imperial-Mel says:
Ay yo the palace is the new boxing arena….ats where it goes DOWN….pls G’s to Gents isnt all that bad….could be better.
You should have known that Chris Lofton wasnt going to do squat in the NBA, he couldlnt even get that weak stuff off agaisnt me…as far as OJ Mayo, the man is real, I need to see some of the USA scrimage game. This could be very intresting
July 23rd, 2008 at 10:10 am
marcus the great says:
ok dime, i gave yall a pass for wrestling. but Gs to Gents…. yall lost some cool points for that one
July 23rd, 2008 at 10:19 am
isotope says:
fo real. Gs to Gents?
July 23rd, 2008 at 10:36 am
Kobeef says:
Breaking NEWS
JChill is going to Greece.
This is stupid. There are more than a few NBA teams that could have used his services.
July 23rd, 2008 at 10:39 am
Austin Burton says:
I’m usually one to watch dumb TV shows, but G’s to Gents is a new low for me.
July 23rd, 2008 at 10:50 am
tuff juice says:
Dermarr Johnson is playing the the kenner league in DC this summer on a team with Austin Freeman and Julian Vaughn from G Town. Their team is playing the other G Town team with Chris Wright and upcoming freshman Jason Clark, Greg Monroe and Henry Simms tomorrow.
July 23rd, 2008 at 11:35 am
Skeeter McGee says:
I agree, the Olympics need to get going so I don’t have to watch damn baseball highlights on night on SportsCenter…
I’m surprised you guys at DIME didn’t mention that LeBron landed on Durant’s ankle during the scrimmage between USA and the Prospect team or whatever the hell they’re called. It’s always his right ankle, and from a guy who had a severe high-ankle sprain, it can’t be good news to keep spraining an ankle over and over. Everyone in that camp is saying it’s mild, but you know LeBron prides himself on speed so that’s something to look out for…
July 23rd, 2008 at 12:03 pm
DJ Go Go Gomez says:
@ Kobeef
Yeah a lot of teams could use Childress. He didn’t leave because of a lack of interest from teams. He left because Olympikos offered him the most money. If the Hawks or any other team offered him the same amount of cash he stays in the L. I wonder how David Stern feels about this? If penny pinching teams don’t pay to keep good talent on their rosters will he up the luxury tax so teams won’t be so scared to sign them?
July 23rd, 2008 at 12:21 pm
that's whats up says:
so, if the NBA season (pre-season thru playoffs) lasts from basically October-June, when do these Euro Leagues run?
How many total games do they play?
Normal number of minutes per player, etc..?
I dunno squat about overseas ball – somebody enlighten me please.
I mean, if you only gotta play 35 games a year or something like that while making twice as much money, Jordan could still be working on his 27th consecutive Euroleague Title. You could play until your 55.
July 23rd, 2008 at 12:42 pm
P_Dizzle says:
lol
I gots to get on youtube and check out that brawl in the palace! I imagine Karl Malone’s daughter could knock the sh** out of a few scrawny azz players in the league. I wouldn’t want one of her meat hooks smacking me in the chops!
Wasn’t Harold Miner’s nickname “Baby Jordan”. Man that clown got punk’d pretty hard.
July 23rd, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Celts Fan says:
Just wanted to put this out there, since we get stuck having to hear about all the crap that goes on and not enough of the good things. Charles Barkley just volunteered to pay some guy’s tuition who’d run into hard times. Check out the link, the picture of Barkley makes it all worth it! Great move Chuck, it’s a shame it’s buried on SI…
http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/59117
July 23rd, 2008 at 1:03 pm
LakeShow84 says:
As a Laker fan its very exciting to see the Blazers return to relevance.. I miss those games..
Something about the Purple and Gold going against the Red and black that gets me going.. Plus that Oden / Bynum match up might be the clash of the titans in a good 2 years.. but that cap space will def put them over the top.. i doubt they keep Diogu (can anyone say Turkey?) and if Channing Frye dont pick it up this might be his last NBA stop.. so they should have, what over THRITY MILLION to spend?? DAMN but i still think we will own them..
July 23rd, 2008 at 1:03 pm
Joe says:
@kobeef
FYI – Portland doesn’t need to save that cap space for their own players. They can go out and sign a big time free agent next off season then they can go OVER the cap to RESIGN their own players. That’s the great thing about the Blazers, they have the richest owner in sports and he isn’t afraid to pay that dollar for dollar tax as long as his team has a chance to play for rings.
July 23rd, 2008 at 1:04 pm
LakeShow84 says:
And i pity the foo who messes with CPBeautiful
July 23rd, 2008 at 1:24 pm
Amar says:
love your coverage of RMR action . . . Mobe (Morris Almond who don’t know about his multiple 50 pt. games in the D-League) scored 24 off of 11 shots and the jazz came from 14 down to be a talented NJ squad. Fess made book lopez shoot 2-11. if y’all want more RMR news click on my name.
July 23rd, 2008 at 2:07 pm
Harold Miner says:
Wow Wow Wow ! Why in the hell are U guys hatin on me ? Com’ on dawgz, ya all better than that. And I bet all of U guys got a lil’ horny when I did that infamous dunk ‘in ya face style’ back in 1994.
July 23rd, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Kenny Skywalker says:
Come on Dime! Don’t act as if all of you had forgotten Harold Miner. And by the way, do U guys still know who I am ?
July 23rd, 2008 at 2:13 pm
John Starks says:
31 field goals missed straight ??? I’m feeling better now…