Kwame Brown and Ricky Davis Find Homes, the Knicks make a move, and Paul Pierce Might Be Lying
Ricky Davis, Dime #10When Joe Dumars said he was making big changes this summer, this probably wasn’t what Pistons fans had in mind: Kwame Brown has agreed to a two-year deal with Detroit worth an estimated $8 million. What can Kwame give the Pistons? He’s a big body who should (theoretically) be able to play some D and rebound. As much as people clown him, Kwame isn’t hopeless. He’s going to a contending team in a city where the fans don’t play around, but at the same time he’s got other quality bigs around him (‘Sheed, McDyess, Maxiell) and he won’t be asked to start. If Kwame just has to focus on a few specific things, this is a pressure-free situation for him, almost like when Darko was in Detroit. And if Michael Curry and his staff are willing to spend a lot of time working with Kwame, eventually you could give him a lot of minutes and hope he blends into the offense without being a detriment … And that wasn’t even the most eyebrow-raising signing of the day. The Clippers picked up Ricky Davis on a two-year deal ($4.7 million), the NBA equivalent of inviting Bad Luck Schleprock from “The Flintstones” over to your crib. Everyone knows Ricky gets buckets, but with Eric Gordon, Cat Mobley, Al Thornton and Quinton Ross all due for minutes at the two-guard and small forward spots, we’re not sure where he’s gonna fit in … We’ve talked before about how the Sixers need a shooter, and yesterday they addressed the need by bringing in Kareem Rush. Kareem shot 39% from the arc last year and had a few games of 20-plus points for the injury-depleted Pacers. Good, cheap pickup for Philly … It’s not quite a replacement for Marcus Camby, but the Nuggets grabbed Renaldo Balkman from the Knicks in exchange for Taurean Green, Bobby Jones and a 2010 second-rounder. The Nuggets basically found a worse-shooting Ed Najera clone who will shore up the defense a little and resonate with the fans right away, and the Knicks are just trying to get salary cap relief. Drafting Danilo Gallinari, plus Wilson Chandler’s strong summer-league showing made Balkman all the more expendable … Forget Spain, Argentina and the rest of the world for right now: Is the U.S. Olympic squad even the best collection of American talent out there? See if you can build a 12-man roster of guys who aren’t on Team USA that could beat the Olympians. Baron Davis, Allen Iverson, T-Mac, KG and Duncan is a good enough start for a first five … Speaking of A.I., is he the NBA’s answer to Brett Favre? If so, why doesn’t he get the same amount of love from the media? … More NBA-to-Europe rumors: Nenad Krstic is very close to signing with a team in Russia, and the same Spanish squad that Tiago Splitter plays for has offered Earl Boykins a contract. Andre Barrett is also said to be on Tau Ceramica’s wish list, so apparently they’re in desperate need of a midget guard … And going the other way, the Raptors signed PG Will Solomon, who starred in the Turkish league this past year. He’s expected to be the third point guard on the roster behind Jose Calderon and Roko Ukic. Is it just us or is this the first time since the Raps’ creation that Alvin Williams or Darrick Martin wasn’t holding down one of those spots … Paul Pierce to Spanish paper El Mundo Deportivo: “If I had to pick one European player for my team, I would choose Calderon.” Keep in mind he was talking to Spanish reporters; ask Pierce the same question in Germany and The Truth might change that answer to Dirk. If Rajon Rondo had just a little bit of Gilbert Arenas’s sensitivity, he’d get insulted by that and make a point to destroy Calderon every time the Celtics and Raptors played — while not passing Pierce the ball … And here’s Dynamo Moscow (Boki Nachbar’s new team) coach David Blatt: “The wage system in the NBA is pretty problematic. The top players and the rookies are enjoying this situation, but the all the players in between are losing from it.” Somebody tell Blatt that Raef LaFrentz made $12 million last year … As good as Anthony Randolph was in the summer leagues, is he gonna be good enough to steal a starting spot away from Al Harrington? What about Brandan Wright’s role in the GS rotation? That’s just one of the PF position battles to look forward to going into training camp … Word out of Indiana says Jamaal Tinsley has dropped about 20 pounds. Don’t we hear that every year? He’s sitting in the same car with ‘Melo and Steph on the annual “I’m in the best shape of my life” train … We’re out like Taurean …
July 29th, 2008 at 2:15 am
DJ STEEVEE says:
1st fo shizzle!!!!!!!!!! dub coast!!!!!!!!
July 29th, 2008 at 2:16 am
budz says:
2nd!
not bad!
July 29th, 2008 at 2:19 am
daQueSt?oN says:
lol @ im in the best shape of my life
July 29th, 2008 at 2:21 am
daQueSt?oN says:
i feel as if the nuggets want to become the knicks and have their fans hate on them
July 29th, 2008 at 2:26 am
solomon says:
5th… and not even sure about it…
July 29th, 2008 at 2:33 am
solomon says:
im in the best shape of my life – tractor traylor
ROFL
we’re out like declaring fitness – by your own…
July 29th, 2008 at 2:33 am
daQueSt?oN says:
yo check this poll out about the okc name, its pretty fun
http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/blog/ball_dont_lie/post/Poll-part-II-What-should-Oklahoma-City-s-nickn?urn=nba,96375
July 29th, 2008 at 2:51 am
Bruce says:
Dime is getting better with the timing of the post, good for folks on the West Coast.
July 29th, 2008 at 2:55 am
Bruce says:
Many years ago, Kareem Rush was asked if his brother Brandon Rush was ready for the NBA. The older Rush stated, “Brandon is not ready physically or mentally.”
Now many years later, the younger Rush takes the older Rush spot.
That sucks dude, losing your job to your little brother. At least least the Collins brothers did right.
July 29th, 2008 at 2:59 am
Bruce says:
Bobby Jones……..How many years has he been in the league? This is like the third trade that he is involved in. Better pull a Chris Gatling
July 29th, 2008 at 3:10 am
daquest?on says:
@ bruce if im not mistaken this will be his 3rd year in the league, hes been with like all the nba teams thats got to be a record. But you need to admire his commitment. does the knicks have an nbdl team?
July 29th, 2008 at 3:14 am
Bruce says:
Okafor is getting $72 Millions…….That is a lot of dough for a guy that is always hurt.
Someone pointed something out to me. “After Shaq, Ben Wallace, and Biedris, Okafor may be the worst FT shooter in the league.”
Had MJ drafted B.Roy instead of that slow-poke Adam Morrison, the sky is the limit. Only needed a SG then!
July 29th, 2008 at 3:14 am
daquest?on says:
he was drafted by the sixers, my ex fav team, i hated them cuz they traded ai but ive gotten over it
July 29th, 2008 at 3:15 am
MoxWestCoastRep says:
First things first- Who in the hell is defending Kwame Brown @ DIME??
“As much as people clown him, Kwame isn’t hopeless. He’s going to a contending team in a city where the fans don’t play around, but at the same time he’s got other quality bigs around him (‘Sheed, McDyess, Maxiell) and he won’t be asked to start. If Kwame just has to focus on a few specific things, this is a pressure-free situation for him, almost like when Darko was in Detroit. And if Michael Curry and his staff are willing to spend a lot of time working with Kwame, eventually you could give him a lot of minutes and hope he blends into the offense without being a detriment”
Are you effing serious?? Did you see him in LA? The dude is trash! He played along side Bynum and couldnt do shit including catch the ball!! Wow if the Pistons expect to give him big minutes you can officially call this the rebuilding period in the D.
oh and, Since when is Al Thornton a 2??
Sorry, this article kinda sux.
July 29th, 2008 at 3:18 am
daquest?on says:
@ bruce okafur re signed with the bobcats for 72 millions?? nooooooooooo!!!!!!!!! all hope is gone now for the nuggets
July 29th, 2008 at 3:25 am
Austin Burton says:
@Mox:
Gordon/Mobley = SG
Thornton/Ross = SF
July 29th, 2008 at 3:29 am
MoxWestCoastRep says:
@AB
Whoops…glanced over that small forward part.
Ok, the article isnt that bad. lol.
But come on- you know Kwame will never be squat- he lacks the skill, talent, confidence and heart.
July 29th, 2008 at 3:35 am
j from la says:
1st off we need to create a team of guys who should never get mention in dime smack. ricky on the clippers equals trouble ricky in la equals 5 one night jail trips and o yea okafur is the black nick collison. y havent the lakers traded odom yet? if okafor gets 72 mil josh smith should get 80. nba economics r n bad shape. the best rush brother 8 yrs ago was jaron wen sober. summer league needs to b longer.
July 29th, 2008 at 4:19 am
Flying-Aussie-Dutchman says:
ahhhh Pistons get Kwame “Darko” Brown
July 29th, 2008 at 4:45 am
the_don_mega says:
i guess the Pistons now have a new “victory cigar”… watcha think of this move by Joe D FED?
July 29th, 2008 at 4:59 am
Flying-Aussie-Dutchman says:
Last time they had a “victory cigar” we (pistons) won the ‘chip.. so maybe.. just maybe
July 29th, 2008 at 5:17 am
Alf says:
at least kwame did not end up with the jazz. i can breath easy now. there were rumors before that he might be the new ostertag.
July 29th, 2008 at 6:21 am
YOUNGFED says:
This might be the worst move in NBA history since the draft of Darko, Mega. However in Joey D we trust so I’m riding wit it. Wish they would grab JR Smith though, but Joe is all about character for some reason. Kwame (Fukin’) Brown. WOOOOOOOOOOOOOW!!!!! They should’ve just kept Theo.
July 29th, 2008 at 6:33 am
sans says:
They should’ve definitely just kept Theo. I feel you on JR, except I wish the Cavs would make a move–any move. They’re acting like a wounded seal on the open water right now.
July 29th, 2008 at 6:37 am
Three Stacks says:
A.I. gets no love from the media because:
1) He’s from the NBA, not the NFL.
2) He’s not a white quarterback.
3) No ring yet.
4) He hates practice.
5) He’s got visible tattoos.
July 29th, 2008 at 6:39 am
YOUNGFED says:
In the Pistons defense remember Chauncey was trash before he came to the Pistons and turned into an allstar olympian. So maybe Kwame will follow in his foot steps.
IN JOE D WE TRUST!!!!
July 29th, 2008 at 6:59 am
the_don_mega says:
man… gotta get a shirt or terrible towel with that slogan!
“IN JOE D WE TRUST!!!!”
July 29th, 2008 at 7:21 am
shake&bake says:
I think the ClipShow wanted to show Eric Gordon what happens if you are a selfish gunner your whole career. They’re pretty much saying, “Gordon, you see this guy? Don’t be him.”
July 29th, 2008 at 8:20 am
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
So does that mean Theo Ratliffe is still available? The Spurs, Lakers, or Hornets need to jump at signing him for the vets minimum.
July 29th, 2008 at 8:28 am
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
As the best possible scenario the Clippers back court will be the highest scoring back court, at the worst they’ll lead the league in shot attempts.
July 29th, 2008 at 8:31 am
shake&bake says:
They’ll lead the league in facial hair.
July 29th, 2008 at 8:35 am
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
Pierce picked Calderon because Jose will get him the ball. I’m not saying Rondo doesn’t but a scorer like Pierce will always chose an unselfish point guard when asked who he would want to play with. He’s not lying. Dirk would take buckets away from him. Plus he would be taking a shot at KG if he chose Dirk. If forced to choose don’t you throw Rondo under the bus rather than your future hall of fame forward? I think so.
July 29th, 2008 at 8:36 am
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
Too bad Eric Gordon can only grow sideburns though.
July 29th, 2008 at 8:40 am
Kobeef says:
@shake$bake
“don’t be him”..LMAO
@Flying
I’m gonna use Kwame “Darko” Brown until he proves worthy of another nickname.
@Daquestion
You kn0w- all of the OKC names really suck. Especially wind (seriously…would it take someone more than 0.5 seconds to come up with “the wind stink”) …and the fact that GS’s mascot is called thunder? do they not know this stuff?
The only name I kind of liked was the thunderbirds. Oh, and the Okla-homo’s was the funniest.
July 29th, 2008 at 8:46 am
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
The Albuquerque D-League team is already called the Thunderbirds. An NBA team can’t be so lame as to jack a D-league name. They should of had the Generals as a choice. The Oklahoma City Generals has a nice ring to it plus wasn’t it already a pro basketball name during the ABA days? So it would already have credibility.
July 29th, 2008 at 8:52 am
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
Dime mentions Raef Lafrentz’s $12 million salary. People will be referring to Okafor’s salary in the same context in 3-4 years. An overly injured, shot blocking, over paid big man who got lucky and now either is riding the bench or trying to be dumped as an expiring contract.
July 29th, 2008 at 8:54 am
PALakerFan says:
“The Wind Blows” headline seems fitting.
July 29th, 2008 at 9:02 am
Ansonious says:
the clippers just bought themselves tickets to not making the playoffs. Why in the hell would they sign Ricky buckets? He never plays on a good team, he’s greedy with the ball, and he’s sure as hell isn’t a team player. Kwame can be like Darko, I don’t believe this can be true, Darko has some game, he can shoot somewhat, which brings out defenders, or causes smaller guys to switch there guy to defend him leaving more options to score. Kwame will never do these things in anyway I don’t care what team he’s on, he will always be that wasted #1 pick that MJ drafted, who probably still has nightmares about that day, and am I the only one who thinks OKC should name their team the bombers peace!!!!
July 29th, 2008 at 9:03 am
focalmatic says:
I still shake my head when I think about the fact that Detroit could have drafted Melo instead of Darko…
July 29th, 2008 at 9:07 am
shake&bake says:
@ Ansonious
Wow, the OKC Bombers? That’s just cruel.
July 29th, 2008 at 9:21 am
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
So maybe Generals isn’t such a good idea. I just realized that’s the name of the squad that always gets man handled by the Globetrotters. My bad.
July 29th, 2008 at 9:41 am
Ross says:
I still like the “Oklahoma City Dollars”
July 29th, 2008 at 9:50 am
that's whats up says:
how about The Oklahoma City Sad Sacks
they’re going to be sorry for a while
July 29th, 2008 at 9:55 am
that's whats up says:
Ricky Buckets got 4.7M over two years??
I hope 4.65M was up front as a guaranteed signing bonus, because when his minutes dip there will be a one man revolt in Clipperland – my guess, he won’t even last this year.
July 29th, 2008 at 9:58 am
JC says:
I guess all is right with the basketball universe now that Ricky Davis has signed with the Clippers. I must say, refreshingly poignant. He may start giving even less of a f*ck now, however, considering he’s in basketball purgatory. Oh wait, is that Oklahoma City now?
Kwame Brown never did it for me. I felt that if anyone could bring something out of him, it was Phil Jackson. Now that Kwame has bombed in LA, it’s not looking like he’ll ever come around, even though he is still relatively young and entering his prime. Darko was in a pressure-free situation in Detroit and didn’t play well, so let’s hope that isn’t the result for Kwame.
So, has Rajon Rondo had his “breakout” season? Is he now the player he’s going to be, or will we see another spike in his level of play??
Y’all are dead wrong for the Andre Barrett midget joint, but my man sure is diminuitive lololol! What’s good with Marcus Toney-El these days?
Raef LaFrentz got clowned. But he’s the exception, not the rule. I think that the Moscow coach was right on the money (bad pun). Funny how the NBA’s wages follow closely to the pattern of our economy. The top players and those perceived as top players-to-be get most of the resources, while the rest watch the show. Granted, all these players are well above the poverty line, but the pattern still shows…
July 29th, 2008 at 10:03 am
Kobeef says:
@Spliff
Damn, you are right…I guess I forgot about the D-League thunderbirds…so yeah, that doesn’t work.
I like the Generals but the Bison are probably the best name to use from a merchandise/marketing perspective
July 29th, 2008 at 10:15 am
Celts Fan says:
You might wanna change that analogy Dime, only interns get in the car with Steph
July 29th, 2008 at 10:23 am
Celts Fan says:
@JC, Rajon hasn’t had his breakout season (though he did have his breakout game in game 6.) Most star PGs have that breakout year in their 3rd year (consistency w/ their teammates, learning the system, being used to the league, feeling like you belong, getting consistent tick, those all contribute to that.) This should be the year he jumps from intriguing young PG with tons of tools to top 10 PG and starts the ascention further up (obviously that’s aided by Nash, Kidd, and the others getting older as the next few seasons go by and his hard work on the jumper and finishing around the rim better.) Remember, DWill and CP3 were damn good, but they only became true superstars this past year (their 3rd.) Not predicting that kind of season for Rajon, but a good enough one that he should be firmly in the top 10 PGs even to people that aren’t huge homers like me…
July 29th, 2008 at 10:59 am
doc says:
I aint riding for Kwame but getting with Sheed might be the best thing to ever happen to him.Any young big who plays with Sheed blossoms.I tell him he could be a hell of a coach.From Jermaine O neal to all them bigs in the D now ask any of them they’ll tell you Sheed schooled them to the game.Good pickup getting Rush for Philly.I hope he hits his J’s so he can take Willie minutes.
July 29th, 2008 at 11:31 am
dukesman2000 says:
I think the Pistons can get better production out of 7ft bag of manure than they can get out of Kwame Brown. No one can school Kwame Browm. In order to school someone that person has to want to learn and Kwame Brown just doesn’t want to play basketball anymore. You can see in his demeanor, he is just there to collect a check.
July 29th, 2008 at 11:40 am
doc says:
If he average 10 boards this year watch the whole D hop on his nutsac.All he need is a little confidence and support.The dude aint had no support since his 1rst year.We’ll see.A dude thats 25 still can get way better.It aint like he didnt have big games before.Everybody hating is a Lakers fan.Yall wishy washy asses.Yall want to get rid of LO like he Kwame but before that Celtic series yall was ready to handwash his jockstrap after the games.
July 29th, 2008 at 1:01 pm
weezy f says:
kristic just signed with a team in russia called the triumph
http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/nets/2008/07/28/2008-07-28_nenad_krstic_signs_deal_with_russian_tea-3.html
July 29th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
weezy f says:
and yao gets 21 points in 28 minutes against angola….is anyone else unhappy with nba tv’s lack of coverage for the usa team…i mean theres nothing on tv except the road to redemption crap i cant watch the same thing over and over again show the replay of canada already!!
http://sports.espn.go.com/oly/summer08/basketball/news/story?id=3509401
July 29th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
sans says:
@ ansonious…isn’t your father ricky davis? Dawg, Darko can’t shoot, not even in 2K8, real life, or in the dreams you have. It’s a lie that Joe D passed out to make drafting him seem like the right thing to do. Peace.
July 29th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
sans says:
nice one on the bombers though
July 29th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
tim says:
If Kwame does want to play he wont, Curry isn’t having any of that…
Kwame probably wont be amazing, but I’m more curious who will get more hate in Detroit, Kwame Brown or Kwame Kilpatrick?
July 29th, 2008 at 3:39 pm
tim says:
And I agree in the IN JOE D WE TRUST! stuff…dude’s been picking others trash for his treasure for a while now.
Dave Cowens is an assistant, maybe he’ll show Kwame some stuff he can use…
I also think the Pistons have a much different atmosphere than most teams though, locker room wise, maybe that will help Kwame relax and work hard to be decent.
July 29th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
Celts Fan says:
Pierce may not be lying though. He’s been stuck with some awful PGs throughout his career. While there are definitely better Euros, for the next season or 2 (til Rubio gets here) Jose’s the best PG, and PGs are the guys who make life easier for shooters by setting them up well. Then again, playing w/ someone like Pau or Dirk who command attention probably would help too.
In that same article, he says he thinks he’s the best player in the league (definitely exactly what you want your superstar to think, but also definitely not true) and that his 5 favorite players in the league are KG, Ray, Perk, Rondo, and himself (who he referred to in the 3rd person. Good to know it’s only taken about a month to sink in that he’s a champion and develop the semi-primadonna mindset. If he starts referring to himself solely in the 3rd person from now on, I can’t say I’d be against it. “Paul likes his ring.” “Paul was the MVP.” “Paul’s ripping off Seinfeld and The Rock.” It would never get old!)
July 29th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
daquest?on says:
@ doc i like sheed but he will corrupt kwame, he may teach him some basketball skills but that is a double edge sword because sheed will turn kwame into a nutcase thats if kwame isnt scared of shhed already, kwame is gonna be rasheed’s bitch