Still no deal for Ben Gordon, Shawn Marion’s mohawk, and Shaun Livingston’s return to L.A.?
Shaun Livingston (photo. Gary Land)Lost in all the reminiscing over Jason Williams‘ career and arguing over what was his sickest highlight (the elbow pass is a Dime office favorite, but it’s hard to deny the crossover where he turned Gary Payton into a still photo), we forgot about one thing: How do the Clippers plan to replace their #2 point guard? So far, all we’ve heard is that they don’t plan to do anything. Jason Hart will move up from third on the depth chart to Baron Davis‘ primary backup, and D-League draftee Mike Taylor is the next PG on the roster. If the Clips do look to pick up another guy, the remaining free agent pool is full of mostly old vets like Damon Stoudamire (who wants to play for a contender), Lindsey Hunter (same), Sam Cassell (who’s already made it pretty clear he wants to stay in Boston) and Darrell Armstrong. Their best bet is probably to wait until other teams start cutting guys as the regular season approaches … Is there a chance the Clippers take a look at Shaun Livingston? He’s still out there, getting interest from Minnesota and Miami, and he wouldn’t cost much. But you’d have to assume L.A. knows Shaun’s medical situation better than anyone, and if they already let him leave once this year, they must not be too confident he can hold up … About J-Will’s sudden and unexpected retirement, coach Mike Dunleavy Sr. told the L.A. Times, “It is what it is. He called us up, gave us a couple of days notice through his agent, saying, ‘I’m just not feeling like I’m wanting to come in and play. I think I’ll send in my retirement papers.’ It caught his agent off guard. It caught everybody off guard. But like I said, it’s better than bringing him into camp, taking a spot, working him in and then having maybe some disappointment.” So even coaches are dropping the “It is what it is” line now? This has to stop … Dunleavy later joked, “He’s from West Virginia. He could be like Brett Favre and a month from now he could want to play again.” So all Southerners are indecisive? Never heard that one before … Is Ben Gordon gonna pull a Anderson Varejao and not show up in a Bulls uniform until well into the season? BG still hasn’t accepted Chicago’s $6.4 million qualifying offer, not to mention the six-year, $59 million offer the Bulls made over the summer. What would you do if you were in Gordon’s shoes? He’s gotta know the $70 million offer he wants isn’t gonna happen this year, so if he’s really married to that figure, might as well take the $6.4M, ball out this season and see what the market is like in 2009 … Shawn Marion — who we hear is rocking a mohawk that hopefully doesn’t make it to Opening Night (we’re not sure he’s got the right head shape for it) — says he’s tired of talking about his contract situation. That’s good; now Matrix can focus more on talking about how he’s not getting enough media attention. (Sorry, no photo of the mohawk yet) … About three weeks ago we asked some of the incoming NBA rookies their thoughts on Barack Obama versus John McCain. In yesterday’s Miami Herald, Alaska native Mario Chalmers was asked about VP candidate Sarah Palin, governor of his home state. “I really don’t know her that well personally,” Chalmers said. “I just know a couple things about what she has done around Alaska. I don’t care for her too much.” … Injury update: Antawn Jamison (hip) and Tyson Chandler (toe) are day-to-day, Udonis Haslem (toe) is gonna miss at least a week, and Kendrick Perkins (shoulder) will likely miss all of training camp. So if you’re a big Patrick O’Bryant fan, better catch all the Celtics preseason games you can, ’cause your man should get significant PT … That got us to thinking: On Opening Night, as the C’s are getting their championship rings, what do the guys who weren’t on last year’s team do? Are they gonna hang back in the locker room during the festivities, will they try to stay incognito somewhere like behind the bench, or do they have to stand there with the rest of the team looking out of place? … How do you think J.J. Redick felt watching his left-handed mirror image, Salim Stoudamire, latch on with the Spurs while he’s literally stuck in Orlando? Redick’s made no secret that he’d prefer a trade if he’s not gonna get any burn, but Magic GM Otis Smith keeps saying the team isn’t trying to trade him. “He’s worked his tail off,” Smith said of Redick. “I see an improvement, I really do. But I don’t know how that equates with minutes on the floor.” What do you think happens when Orlando has a team option on J.J.’s contract next season? Do they exercise it just to mess with him? We have a feeling that as soon as Redick can go, he’s off to the Euroleague ASAP, where he’ll drop severe buckets … We’re out like Redick …
September 28th, 2008 at 5:34 am
yo says:
otis smith that is pretty cold … you’re better, you’ve worked hard, I see improvement, but you’re not getting minutes ???
jj if you’re reading this. I applaud your effort and hard work. keep it up young man. only good will come of it down the road.
September 28th, 2008 at 5:56 am
Promoman says:
Otis Smith & the Magic simply don’t want to play J.J., pure & simple. When you hear dumbassed statements like that, you know that bullshit’s afoot. They won’t send him to D-League, trade him, buy him out, or waive him. That’s nuts. Why eat up a roster spot and cap room to hold on to a player that you don’t want around & avoid playing in the 1st place?
September 28th, 2008 at 6:09 am
Phileus says:
“So if you’re a big Patrick O’Bryant fan” … great line, hahaha.
And how does JJ Redick compare to fellow lights-out shooting Dukie Trajan Langdon? Because Langdon’s having himself a hell of a good career in Europe.
September 28th, 2008 at 6:13 am
Cobra_verde says:
Sickest JWill highlight has gotta be when he dunked all over Mario Ellie on the fast break. You always knew he had a bag of tricks with him damn near everynight but that was the one thing you never expected to see.
September 28th, 2008 at 6:23 am
Trouble Man says:
That is messed up, it’s waaaay too early to be killing a players minutes. He’s backing up Keith Bogans & Courtney Lee too! JJ must have zero D, that’s all I can think of. Or maybe Otis is a secret Tarheel guy & just likes f’n with Dukies.
September 28th, 2008 at 7:26 am
sans says:
Big ups to my boy Ansonious for bringing up Livingston yesterday…if I was one of the new Celtics, and I knew how to juggle, I’d stand back and juggle basketballs just to take some eyes off the shine ceremony…I’m out like everyone in Alaska knowing, personally, every person in Alaska…
September 28th, 2008 at 8:13 am
Amar says:
I’d honestly have to say that at this point Jason Hart is better than Shaun Injuredston. After all, one of them was playing in the L all these seasons while the other one was completely out of NBA game shape. Let it be known, though, Jason Hart is one of the worst players in the L right now . . . and if someone shot him I wouldn’t even call it murder.
September 28th, 2008 at 8:16 am
Tha Boddy says:
J.J Redick can still shoot lights out…but the only problem is if Orlando does not pick up that team option other teams will be like well “we really have not seen what you can do” and will likely result in him getting less money than he is worth…I can honestly seeing him looking borderline 3year 15-20million range with emphasis on the 15million area. Everyone needs a good shooter and he is a good one waiting for a chance to be great…
September 28th, 2008 at 8:18 am
sans says:
cold.
DIME, what the hell happened at Lennox Mall in ATL?! For as hyped an event as I’ve seen on this site (minus the Olympics and Finals Coverage) NO NEWS?
September 28th, 2008 at 8:18 am
sans says:
I meant to say “cold” to Amar.
September 28th, 2008 at 9:04 am
Patrick says:
@Phileus
Redick is a much more rounded offensive player than langdon. Haven’t spotted much video of him playing in Europe but Redick took the ball to the hole a lot more playing at duke. Looks like he is more athletic too.
Clips should just wait for jdub to decide to come out of retirement. Probably won’t take too long to realize that he misses the nba check.
September 28th, 2008 at 9:47 am
Luigi says:
dirk just announced his pre affirmed retirement date. or kinda
September 28th, 2008 at 10:05 am
Young Lebron 23 says:
Kobe and LeBron are quitting ball and playing golf and taekwondo respectively. It is all over ESPN.
September 28th, 2008 at 10:07 am
jimmhumm says:
What does being from WVa have to with any thing? Dunlevy better watch his back! He lives in Beverly Hills and I know there is a certain granny who might take offense to that. “Jefro get a rope!!!”
September 28th, 2008 at 10:07 am
Ansonious says:
One thing I’ve always wondered About Shawn is his freakish hairline, seriously it looks like he got laser surgery to get that dracula look, and with the mohawk becoming so popular this is truly funny. As someone whos sported a 2 foot mohawk I’m encouraging players to please stop it, you cant sport it accordingly, and for you half mohawk(as the hairstylers call it the fauhawk) having fairies real punkers call that the faggots mohawk. The only athlete to sport the mohawk with class was Brian Westbrook a few years back when Philly went to the superbowl the corn row mohawk was some of the illest shit I’ve ever seen. As for everyone else you should heavily consider picking those clippers back up and finish what you started. I’m out like the mohawk being a trend peace!
September 28th, 2008 at 10:08 am
Ansonious says:
I was talking about Marion, not Livingston
September 28th, 2008 at 10:50 am
Yoooo says:
JJ Redick 3 years, 15 Mill??? This guy has to be apart of George Bush’s cabinet. Are you out your m*th*f**kin mind???!!! Another Dusthead…
Yo that Chris Rock special.. Gar-Baaaaage. I waited a good month to see it and when I finally did, it was so corny and drawn out I fell asleep. Talk about heated. He may have just put a serious asterik on his “best comedian of my generation” label that I gave him. He was just bombing. And the night before they had him on Bill Mahr and he was using the jokes he used during the Stand Up. I was thoroughly dissapointed. An hour and a half and only 1 CHUCKLE??? Nah dog. He embarrassed hisself
September 28th, 2008 at 11:28 am
SteveNash says:
Bush F’d it up so bad for white people they can’t even run for president!
September 28th, 2008 at 11:55 am
VERTMAN says:
FIRST!
September 28th, 2008 at 11:56 am
VERTMAN says:
Hey, if you haven’t seen it yet. BAM! http://www.theverticalsummit.com
September 28th, 2008 at 12:28 pm
schoops says:
@Amar… don’t hate on Hart, dude’s stuck around the league for awhile and was money at SU. He’s a solid backup who won’t rock the boat.
And maybe Otis Smith was like 98% of college basketball fans who absolutely HATED (has anyone been teh subject of more straight up hate?) Reddick a few years back, so he’s now just suffocating his career as payback? Wouldn’t rule it out, haha.
September 28th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
Amar says:
dude, i spent all last season watching every game hart played in. he is better than he showed last season, but last season he was god awful. the dude would run the clock down and try to break his man down for a last second shot to end quarters instead of running a play to get a shot for boozer, memo or korver instead. each time — clank — another brick. seriously, i at least give him props for not being horrible on defense.
he was much better on the clippers a few seasons ago, hopefully he’ll regain some of that for this season.
people always talk about how bigmen have it easy and they can stick around the L without having skills, but just by being big. how does that account for guys like jason hart and jaques vaughn? they keep getting nba contracts, yet continue to be bad players. people clown on a bigman who doesn’t improve from the FT line over a number of seasons, but what about a guy like brevin knight or jaques vaugn being in the L for like 10 years or so, and never learning how to shoot and make three pointers?
double standard or bigman’s burden?
September 28th, 2008 at 12:37 pm
dagwaller says:
Gordon isn’t worth 10 mil a year, and Redick isn’t worth 5 mil a year. Hopefully that reckless talk doesn’t have any GMs fooled.
September 28th, 2008 at 12:41 pm
Chaos says:
i dont even like JJ but i think what orlando is doin is wrong. but its prolly cuz they got enough shooters between bogans, lewis and hedo not to mention that lee is there too and he got a decent shot and can penetrate. he need to go somewhere that desperately needs a shooter like denver, OKC or miami
September 28th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
schoops says:
@Amar.. I’m an SU fan since birth, I gotta defend Hart. But the reason those backup guards stick around the league is because they can dribble, know how to run an offense in a decent manner, and know their place in the rotation. Those are all skills that they learned. Big guys are born big… so guys like m’benga (spl?) get contracts just for hitting their head on the door when they walk in the gym. Granted there are big men who are kept at the end of the bench because they have some desired skill (know how to rebound, leadership, lockerroom what-have-you, etc). Guys like Scot Pollard, PJ Brown, Othella Harrington, Pat Garrity (wide variety of talents there) are the big man version of the Jason harts of Vaughns of the NBA.
Also, JJ blows. Enjoy Europe, it’s a great place.
September 28th, 2008 at 3:37 pm
Clutch says:
Stoudamire is a bit more versatile than reddick is. He has a better handle, is quicker and is more athletic. He can also play defense against point guards, where as Reddick can’t play defense against point or shooting gaurds.
Stoudamire is also more diverse offensivly have a look at some of the highlights of his occasional games where he gets really hot. I remember his rookie season he dropped sonething like 35 points on Chris Paul. He can hit some insane shots when he is feeling it
September 28th, 2008 at 7:53 pm
Pete Casey says:
BG needs to take the $10MM per annum and get on with his life.
September 28th, 2008 at 9:15 pm
Jason says:
Trade Reddick to Dallas so he can be the player – similar to Reggie Miller or Rip Hamilton – shooting off of screens in Rick Carlisle’s offense.
September 28th, 2008 at 10:51 pm
sirak says:
it is what is it…
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/it-is-what-it-is-a-tiresome-cliche/2007/12/31/1198949746467.html
September 28th, 2008 at 11:40 pm
Magnifico says:
J.J. should get himself into teams like Cleveland or other contender-wannabees. At least he could help spread the floor for LBJ or some other star.
September 29th, 2008 at 2:34 am
josh tha roc says:
yo fantasy dr, when you gonna make a come back? any sleeper picks for us.
September 29th, 2008 at 2:36 am
heavy d says:
I think Otis Smith is refusing to move Redick because as soon he does it is means the flop is official at least with respect to Smith’s draft ability (Vasquez and Redick in the late lottery). I mean no one is going to give much for him, so he will have turned 2 lottery pick into maybe a second rounder or a veteran with a bad contract?