作者LOJ (NMR)
看板Pistons
標題Free-agent big men: Wrong place, wrong time to get filthy rich
時間Sun Jun 24 17:02:14 2007
http://www.sportsline.com/nba/story/10234226
This should be the time of Anderson Varejao's life.
In days where irresponsibility reigned, he'd be about to make a killing.
Brazilian countryman Nene got what, $60 million over six years after missing a
full season with a torn ACL?
Varejao, 24, just reached the NBA Finals, had a great postseason in which he
did enjoy some good moments against Tim Duncan, and oozes upside.
He won't get $60 million over six years.
Darko Milicic, 22, finally received his first significant playing time last
season and didn't embarrass himself. Given his age and potential, he'd be
liable to receive maybe $60 million over six years, like Tyson Chandler did two
years ago having exhibited slightly more production. People were dropping the
bust label on him at one point, too.
Darko isn't getting $60 million over six years, either.
Unfortunately for Milicic and Varejao, thriftiness and fiscal responsibility
are in this season, in part because there are few teams that still have
significant money to spend. This increases the likelihood that both young big
men will stay with their current teams -- although if they want to gamble, each
can take a deal that's shorter in length in order to maximize his earning
potential down the road. Of course, in going that route, they would have to
bank on staying healthy and continuing their marked improvement.
Antonio McDyess is probably the most complete power forward available this
offseason -- except he's not really available. His proclamation that his days
in Detroit were likely done was influenced by the disappointment of being
bounced in the Eastern Conference finals. Once the emotions subsided, he
thought better of it and is likely to stay put.
"Where would I go? What team, that I would fit in on, can you point to and say,
'They're the ones who are going to win the ring?'" said McDyess, who would join
Kobe Bryant on Pluto if he could guarantee himself a championship. "Plus, I
like playing here, I like these guys. I can't think of somewhere else where I'd
rather play right now, so why opt out?"
Teammate Chris Webber's future isn't as clear. Although he was a large part of
Detroit's regular season success once he joined the squad, he never did find
his footing in the postseason. He seemed to wear down a bit, and you wonder if
the Pistons, eager to give their younger players more time, are ready to go in
a different direction. Like McDyess, Webber seems only interested in playing
for a championship, so you can expect him to hear from a number of contenders
if Detroit fails to bring him back.
P.J. Brown, likely to leave Chicago since he wasn't too thrilled with how he
was used last season, is another veteran hanging around in pursuit of a ring.
Having had some strong years in Miami in the past, not to mention an affinity
for Pat Riley, could mean that he winds up as a reinforcement alongside
Shaquille O'Neal and Alonzo Mourning.
Mourning is technically a free agent, but is expected to rejoin the Heat or
retire. Expect him to play one more season.
This year's center crop makes you feel like it's 2004 all over again. Seated at
the top is Portland's Jamaal Magloire, a former All-Star who settled into a
backup role with the Blazers last season despite the belief that someone would
claim him for the stretch run. It never happened.
Magloire did have a strong last few months of the season, routinely piling up
double-doubles and playing solid defense. Expect him to land the biggest
contract among centers, and it won't come from Portland, which is expected to
draft Ohio State's Greg Oden to anchor the middle alongside Zach Randolph,
LaMarcus Aldridge and Joel Przybilla.
Of this offseason's center crop, only Magloire, Mikki Moore and Chris Mihm are
capable of being starters in this league -- maybe. Magloire has proven it.
Moore helped save New Jersey's season once Nenad Krstic was lost, displaying an
improved offensive game and proving to be durable. Was that a one-year fluke or
the start of a trend? Don't expect teams to pay too much to find out.
Around the league, it's now customary to exercise caution when dealing with a
big man coming off a big season in a contract year. Unless they're getting an
Oden-type who can't miss, it seems like teams are no longer as interested in
adding size strictly for size's sake.
For proof, one needs only look at the fact that Webber, Joe Smith and Michael
Olowokandi, all former No. 1 overall picks, are all available.
It's yet another reason why it's a shame Varejao and Milicic aren't going to be
able to cash in when they have the chance.
--
█◣◢█ ▄▄▄ Thank you, Rasheed Wallace
─ WALLACE ★
2005-2006 STATISTICS
▌PISTONS ▌ 36 PPG 15.1 RPG 6.80 APG 2.3 EFF +17.62
▌ 36 ▌ ★
Selected to third All-Star team 02/09/06
▌ ▌ ★
Receives NBA Community Assist Award For April
--
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◆ From: 220.134.25.156
推 pennymarcus:Dice那段話是球季最後一天回底特律收拾行季時說的 06/24 17:46
→ pennymarcus:(4533)雖然活塞再度令他失望 但他看來還是會留下來 06/24 17:47
→ LOJ:其實我只是想看巴西蘑菇未來會在哪 XD 06/24 17:55
推 limitlesscit:講到Dice就傷心了T^T 06/24 18:23
推 srtlct:推 骰子我隨你滴淚~~ 06/25 19:48