by Stop Mike Lupica on August 28 at 1:18PM
Quick update on the going-ons in the NBA:
-Sactown Royalty has the news on Kevin Martin signing a new contract extension - 5 years, $55 million. If so, that's actually not a bad deal for either the Kings or K-Mart. The Kings get to keep their franchise player at an affordable rate ($11 million average, going from $9 to $13 in 2012-2013). Kevin Martin might have gotten more on the open market, even if he is a one-dimensional (pure scorer) - see Rashard Lewis' contract. But he also has to know he won't have as comfortable a situation as he has in Sacramento, where his open lobbying/suggestions to interview Reggie Theus resulted in his hiring. He has some good friends there, too, and is seen as the franchise player, the player they want to build around. It's a win-win situation for both in terms of money.
However, I'm still not sold on the premise that Kevin Martin is, in fact, a franchise player, or someone to build a team around. Again, see Rashard Lewis.
-It cracks me up, but Ricky from Sixers4guidos broke the news to us that the Celtics had signed James Posey. This actually makes me rethink my earlier stance on the Celtics, too. I thought they were a bit overrated after making their trades for Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett. A lot of people had them penned in for a Finals appearance, but we warned of the over-reliance on the Big 3, and how the lack of depth in the rotation would wear them out. Well, I'm a big fan of James Posey, and of this signing. Mainly because I could see him stepping into the starting lineup if something happens to one of the big three during the season (say a prolongued injury to Ray Allen), plus I can see Posey play big minutes in the playoffs in the 4th quarter, spelling Allen, which strengthens the Celtic's defense.
And, like Ricky suggested, the Celtics could also go small, with Garnett at center, along with Posey, Pierce, Allen and Rondo. That team could do serious damage in the playoffs.
The two issues that remains with the Celtics - one, how good of a coach is Doc Rivers? Can he not mess this up? Or is the media right - is he that terrible? And two, can they sign one more big man to fill out the bench. A Mutumbo or PJ Brown would really be a great pickup right now....
-The Magic continue to deepen their bench by signing Adonal Foyle. The 6-10' center will bring his shot-blocking skills to the backup center role, playing behind Dwight Howard. The team is still so-so to make the playoffs, in my opinion - they barely got in last season (taking a choke job by the Pacers and Knicks to do so), and while Rashard Lewis is an upgrade over Grant Hill, Hill's veteran leadership will be missed more than most think. And they need Jameer Nelson to play better from the point if this team's offense is going to work.
We'll hopefully get around to doing a spotlight feature on Foyle's foundation (Democracy Matters) sometime soon.
-And finally, found at Damon Agnos (via True Hoops) is a story on God Shammgod, who will be trying out for the Milwaukee Bucks next week. We'll keep an eye on this story. The post includes some nice footage of God's amazing handle.
God holds a place in our lore - he's the only (former or active) NBA player I ever actually played against (in a pickup game). I got to see Ron Artest and Felipe Lopez play while they were in high school, but I only played once against Shammgod Wells, as he was known then. Interesting story about God Shammgod's name: He was born God Shammgod. He later changed his name, when in high school (or perhaps earlier) to Shammgod Wells, since he attended LaSalle High School, a Catholic school on the Lower East Side (the Homeland of SML). It was probably not kosher to attend a Catholic high school if your first name was "God". He changed it back to God Shammgod when he attended Providence College.
It was LaSalle that a bunch of my friends, particularly the best ballers, attended. Ron Artest was still an unknown freshman (with a bit of temper - he got suspended for throwing a chair or something during a game) when Shammgod was a senior. Everyone in the streets balled, or wanted to ball, like Shammgod. I'm talking about a bunch of kids running around with the crazy handle and no jumper, but dribbling circles around everyone.
One just has to check YouTube for the numerous ten-second highlight clips of Shammgod, all of his incredible dribbling ability. Never do you see a dunk, or layup, or even a jumper - the clips all focus on his incredible handle. That having been said, if he has developed a jumper, we'll like to see what he can do with it in the NBA. The chances of him landing on the Bucks are very, very slim. But we'll keep our fingers crossed... the NBA could use the excitement he brings to the court.
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-Sactown Royalty has the news on Kevin Martin signing a new contract extension - 5 years, $55 million. If so, that's actually not a bad deal for either the Kings or K-Mart. The Kings get to keep their franchise player at an affordable rate ($11 million average, going from $9 to $13 in 2012-2013). Kevin Martin might have gotten more on the open market, even if he is a one-dimensional (pure scorer) - see Rashard Lewis' contract. But he also has to know he won't have as comfortable a situation as he has in Sacramento, where his open lobbying/suggestions to interview Reggie Theus resulted in his hiring. He has some good friends there, too, and is seen as the franchise player, the player they want to build around. It's a win-win situation for both in terms of money.
However, I'm still not sold on the premise that Kevin Martin is, in fact, a franchise player, or someone to build a team around. Again, see Rashard Lewis.
-It cracks me up, but Ricky from Sixers4guidos broke the news to us that the Celtics had signed James Posey. This actually makes me rethink my earlier stance on the Celtics, too. I thought they were a bit overrated after making their trades for Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett. A lot of people had them penned in for a Finals appearance, but we warned of the over-reliance on the Big 3, and how the lack of depth in the rotation would wear them out. Well, I'm a big fan of James Posey, and of this signing. Mainly because I could see him stepping into the starting lineup if something happens to one of the big three during the season (say a prolongued injury to Ray Allen), plus I can see Posey play big minutes in the playoffs in the 4th quarter, spelling Allen, which strengthens the Celtic's defense.
And, like Ricky suggested, the Celtics could also go small, with Garnett at center, along with Posey, Pierce, Allen and Rondo. That team could do serious damage in the playoffs.
The two issues that remains with the Celtics - one, how good of a coach is Doc Rivers? Can he not mess this up? Or is the media right - is he that terrible? And two, can they sign one more big man to fill out the bench. A Mutumbo or PJ Brown would really be a great pickup right now....
-The Magic continue to deepen their bench by signing Adonal Foyle. The 6-10' center will bring his shot-blocking skills to the backup center role, playing behind Dwight Howard. The team is still so-so to make the playoffs, in my opinion - they barely got in last season (taking a choke job by the Pacers and Knicks to do so), and while Rashard Lewis is an upgrade over Grant Hill, Hill's veteran leadership will be missed more than most think. And they need Jameer Nelson to play better from the point if this team's offense is going to work.
We'll hopefully get around to doing a spotlight feature on Foyle's foundation (Democracy Matters) sometime soon.
-And finally, found at Damon Agnos (via True Hoops) is a story on God Shammgod, who will be trying out for the Milwaukee Bucks next week. We'll keep an eye on this story. The post includes some nice footage of God's amazing handle.
God holds a place in our lore - he's the only (former or active) NBA player I ever actually played against (in a pickup game). I got to see Ron Artest and Felipe Lopez play while they were in high school, but I only played once against Shammgod Wells, as he was known then. Interesting story about God Shammgod's name: He was born God Shammgod. He later changed his name, when in high school (or perhaps earlier) to Shammgod Wells, since he attended LaSalle High School, a Catholic school on the Lower East Side (the Homeland of SML). It was probably not kosher to attend a Catholic high school if your first name was "God". He changed it back to God Shammgod when he attended Providence College.
It was LaSalle that a bunch of my friends, particularly the best ballers, attended. Ron Artest was still an unknown freshman (with a bit of temper - he got suspended for throwing a chair or something during a game) when Shammgod was a senior. Everyone in the streets balled, or wanted to ball, like Shammgod. I'm talking about a bunch of kids running around with the crazy handle and no jumper, but dribbling circles around everyone.
One just has to check YouTube for the numerous ten-second highlight clips of Shammgod, all of his incredible dribbling ability. Never do you see a dunk, or layup, or even a jumper - the clips all focus on his incredible handle. That having been said, if he has developed a jumper, we'll like to see what he can do with it in the NBA. The chances of him landing on the Bucks are very, very slim. But we'll keep our fingers crossed... the NBA could use the excitement he brings to the court.
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why it cracks you up, you know I am always one step ahead... lol
actually I took that from the Sixers forum so you were 2 days late, not one... just kidding with you my friend
the 55 mill deal for a (good) player like Martin is pretty expensive to me but not for current NBA standards, I guess.
It puts him in the Troy Murphy category (lol) and also sets a new standard for the next extention that our Iguodala is going to ask (and obtain): there is no way Iggy will get less money than Kevin Martin
very, very good story about God Shammgod, that was a nice reading. One of my fav names in the NBA, just behind World B. Free and Pape (!) Sow
I disagree with Rickhouse about the Magic, I don't see them getting past the first round. I predict a 40-42 W reg season and a quick exit for them
hmm. I played wid God Shamgod at a basketball camp in highschool. Yea, he had mad handles but what guard doesn't. I know some forwards in the nba dat has mad handles as well.. Handles don't mean didly if you can't shoot, pass or play defense. Every guard in the nba has mad handles. Even the scrubs who don't get much time.. He needs to develop a jump shot, learn to pass and run a team (he's only 6'0) and play defense. Untill then he wouldn't even make a spot on a expansion team..
I really think the Magic are a lock for the playoffs. Foyle was always known for making alot of money and not being very good, but he's a solid backup center, i think. Rashard Lewis is going to tear it up and prove everyone wrong....there is not one person- blogosphere or MSM- who likes that deal. That just mean Shard is finish top 5 in scoring. I'm tellin ya, watch out for the Magic.
Also, I bet the Celtics are good this year- I don't know if they'll get past Detroit or my Bulls- but they'll definitly be good. I think Rivers can handle a team full of vets that is gonna have alot of roles already defined. That's where Doc has eff'd up before.