NBA Weekly: Suns and Cavs a mess, Mutombo re-ups, and more
Oct 8th, 2007 by fathoops93
Fan editorial by FatHoops93
Monday was media day for most NBA clubs, and a lot was revealed about where teams stand heading into training camp. The Suns’ Shawn Marion didn’t back down from his trade demand, but also refused to talk about it. “I don’t want to be bother by this no more. What’s done is done. (AP)” The Suns are probably thrilled to be getting the silent treatment from their disgruntled All-Star heading into a chemistry-building training camp…
The unease in Phoenix jumped several notches as the Suns announced later on Monday that Amare Stoudemire would be undergoing yet another knee operation on Tuesday. According to the Suns, it’s just a clean-up job much like Raja Bell’s knee job earlier in the summer. What’s up with waiting until literally the start of training camp to get this taken care of? New guys like Grant Hill, Alando Tucker and DJ Strawberry won’t learn the offense that fast with one if its main cogs missing…
Word leaked out at the end of the weekend that the reason the Cavs haven’t re-signed Anderson Varejao is because he’s requested a contract extension that would pay him $10-11 million per year. Obviously, GM Danny Ferry is waiting for Varejao’s sanity to come back from summer vacation. Ferry is probably thinking how is own grossly overpaid contract hindered the Cavs for years back in his playing days, and has vowed to not let the same thing happen under his watch…
Cleveland’s other restricted free agent, Sasha Pavlovic, is holding out for his own extension by remaining in Europe until the deal is done. Not only did the Cavs not make any notable roster improvements over the summer, but they also managed to alienate their two biggest contributors off the bench. Playoff hero Daniel “Boobie” Gibson can probably expect an increased role this season…
Houston decided to give the arguably 41-year-old Dikembe Mutombo another go for one more season. Mutombo himself stated it would be his last campaign in the NBA, although he had contemplated retirement after Houston’s first-round loss to Utah. After speaking to Hakeem Olajuwon, however, Mount Mutombo changed his mind. Rockets GM Daryl Morey expressed appreciation for Mutombo’s experience. “The Rockets are really fortunate to have him as we make our deeper playoff push this year (AP).” Hear that, T-Mac and Yao? Deeper playoff push…
C-Webb decided against a reported $10-12 million dollar 2-year contract with Greek club Olympiacos, stating that he wants to return to the Pistons, but adding the condition, “unless something crazy happens (AP).” What’s crazier than getting offered more than $5 mil a year by a Greek ball club (including it being tax free)? Assuming there’s no more craziness, we’ll see the last relevant member of the Fab Five in Pistons red, white and blue this year…
A lot of guys get tats for their moms, girlfriends, businesses, passions, etc. Not Stephen Jackson. Monday he showed off his new tat, which features two hands in the form of playing…holding a gun. “I pray I never have to use it again,” Jackson said in explanation (AP). Yeah, he’s definitely learned from his strip club gun incident at Indiana. Apparently his whole back features an unfinished tat of the jack of spades, with himself as the jack…
What is wrong with some players there days? The Cavs have a huge season ahead of them this time after their impressive one last year and they need harmony and for the likes of Varejao and Pavlovic to be staying away or refusing extensions because they think they are not being paid enough money. Obviously LeBron is the ‘man’ in Cleveland and he is the king pin but he needs the rest of the team to be working well behind him. Could this ruin the team’s season before it has even begun?
I’ve been a Lakers fan for 30 years, at one time I had season tickets at the Forum when I could afford them. I still go to the Staple center when I can afford it. I am and always be a Kobe Bryant fan and a Lakers fan. I am so very ashamed of what this franchise has become. Why has it come to this fiasco?
We used to be the most respected team in the NBA now we are the laughing stock of the NBA, the lack of dignity, the lies, the infighting the back-bighting, back and forth in the press; just when it seemed things were calm. Mr. Buss had to go and blow everything out of the water. Why open your mouth now? Why try to grab your dignity after laying out all your dirty laundry all over L.A. You gave your dignity away already remember? Jerry West you treated him like dirt, Shaq you gave him away for dirt, Kobe your at it again. Ugly, Ugly, Ugly. You the Buss family deserve this you wrecked everything, horribly mismanaging the team and the business. Too much fooling around and not enough care about something you built.
Please do whatever you can to keep Kobe or we will all be in our graves before we ever see another ring…Thanks a lot Buss family for screwing up a wonderful franchise you must be very happy and pleased with yourselves.