Coast to Coast: 9/26/08

Let’s push the ball up the court as we go from coast to coast with the stories from around the league.

• AP is reporting that the Kings have agrred to a multiyear deal with Francisco Garcia.  He was eligible to become a free agent at the end of this season.  Good move by Sacramento as Garcia is a good two way player that they desperately need.
• AP is reporting that no punishment has been decided for point guard Monta Ellis.  It turned out his injury occurred in a moped accident after signing a 6-year, $66 million deal in the offseason.  This is a tough situation for an organization.  You don’t want to create any friction between the organization and your centerpieces of the franchise.  However, something needs to be done to assure that Ellis has learned his lesson.
• AP is reporting that the Rockets have matches the Bobcats’ offer sheet for restricted free agent Carl Landry.  It is an offer sheet of 3 years and $9 million.  This is an absolute must for Houston.  I thought Landry and Luis Scola really played hard and gave them great energy down low.  You also cannot afford to lose his size with the injury concern of Yao Ming.
• AP is reporting that Cavs owner Dan Gilbert is not pleased with all the talk of LeBron eventually leaving Cleveland in free agency.  ”It’s kind of an insult to the city of Cleveland in my opinion — an insult to the Midwest,” said Gilbert.  It is also a bit of an insult to continue to be unable to give James a good supporting cast in Cleveland.  Playing with Larry Hughes will make a lot of people want to leave places.
• AP is reporting that after signing free agent Elton Brand, the 76ers and the city of Philadelphia are expecting some big things.  So am I.  The 76ers are my sleeper team to contend for an Eastern Conference title.
• AP is reporting that Sun Yue, the newest Laker, has mononucleosis and will miss the beginning of training camp.  The real problem for Yue will be finding playing time in the crowded backcourt for LA.
• AP is reporting that guard Chucky Atkins of the Denver Nuggets will miss six weeks after undergoing surgery on his right knee.
• The Rocky Mountain News speculates on the future of Allen Iverson.  AI is in the final year of his contract worth just over $20 million.  They seem to believe he is a strong candidate to be dealt before the regular season trading deadline.  I agree since it is doubtful the Nuggets will contend this year or be willing to give Iverson a long term deal.
• Newsday is reporting that our New York Knicks are trying to convince fatso Jerome James to retire.  Worst free agent signing in NBA history.  Period.

NBA Top 10 PG Rankings

As we get closer and closer to the opening tip of the NBA season we will be doing some positional rankings in the next couple weeks.  I will be ranking the top 10 players at each position.  So let’s get started with the top 10 point guards in the Association.

1. Chris Paul, New Orleans: This guy might be the best overall player in the whole NBA.  He had a PER of 28.39 last year which was 2nd in the league and by far the best among point guards.  He will win multiple MVPs and has elevated the franchise to bring a legitimate contender.  Plus he is just 23.  Look out.
2. Deron Williams, Utah: Here is another young and emerging star in the NBA.  He is tough to keep out of the paint, but the thing that really makes him special is his outstanding shooting range.  I think we all remember the big shots he hit in the Olympics gold medal game against Spain.  I look forward to several Western Conference playoff battles between Paul and Williams for years to come.
3. Steve Nash, Phoenix: Everyone knows that his vision and shooting ability are unmatched.  However, the fact that he is not capable of keeping other guards out of the paint is a mjaor problem.  It’s too bad that the championship window for the Suns has closed.
4. Tony Parker, San Antonio: Probably still one of the more underrated players in the league.  His speed and energy is really what makes the Spurs offense go.  He also excels under pressure where he is as cool as the other side of the pillow.
5. Chauncey Billups, Detroit: He has not played at the same high level recently but he is still Mr. Big Shot.  I think Billups and the Pistons will have a big bounce back year and be in the mix for a championship.  What we really need to see is the hunger and tenacity from Billups again.  His skills are unquestioned.
6. Baron Davis, LA Clippers: When Davis plays a full 82 games, he is one of the best players in the league.  He showed that in Golden State where he led them to the 2nd round of the playoffs two years ago.  However, his supporting cast in LA leaves a lot to be desired.
7. Gilbert Arenas, Washington: Agent Zero’s confidence and shooting ability are not in doubt.  However, he has become a major health concern.  He has another knee surgery to overcome and you wonder just how much more we will get to see him out on the floor.
8. Monta Ellis, Golden State: The injury was a disappointment because with Davis gone, this was supposed to be the major breakthrough year for Ellis.  He had a PER of 19.01 last year which was 9th among point guards.  When he returns he will remind people just how tough he is to defend.
9. Jason Kidd, Dallas: Kidd helped lead USA basketball to another gold medal but he was more of a coach and leader than a clutch performer.  He still has the smarts and vision to be a good point guard but his athleticism has declined.  He cannot defend anymore and his career is winding down at the moment.
10. Andre Miller, Philadelphia: This is another aging point guard but not as old as Kidd.  Miller has always been underrated since he continues to be one of the best assist men in the league.  Putting him together with Andre Iguodola and Elton Brand will be very exciting for Philly fans to see this year.

That’s it.  That’s the list.

Also receiving votes: Jose Calderon, TJ Ford, Kirk Hinrich, Mo Williams, Jason Terry

Coast to Coast: 8/28/08

Let’s push the ball up the court as we go from coast to coast with the stories from around the league.

• The big story of the day has to do with the devastating injury to Warriors PG Monta Ellis.  The AP is reporting that Ellis will be out 3 months after severely spraining his ankle in an offseason workout.  Last year Ellis averaged 20 points, 5 boards, and 3 dimes per game.  In the offseason he was given a 6-year, $66 million extension while Baron Davis signed on with the Clippers.  Monta Ellis was going to be the guy this year for the first time and now he will miss at least the first month of the regular season.  The Warriors do have Marcus Williams to step in but he isn’t ready to play at the level that Ellis does.  This officially crushes any hopes Golden State had at competing in the difficult Western Conference this year.  I did think that this year was going to be when Ellis was finally recognized as a star in this league.  Tough break for him and the organization.
• The AP is reporting that the Oklahoma City franchise will announce its team name and colors on September 3rd.  Apparently the franchise has applied for the trademarks to six names: Thunder, Energy, Marshalls, Wind, Barons, and Bison.  I hear that the Thunder is most likely to be the one that is announced.  That’s fine as long as they don’t end up as the Oklahoma City Wind.  I don’t think you would see much jersey popping by the players if it read WIND on the front.
• The Orange County Register is speculating that the Lakers should consider signing free agent Shaun Livingston.  Livingston is currently rehabbing his surgically repaired right knee.  Livingston is talented and just 22 so I think some team should take a chance on him.  But not the Lakers with Fisher, Farmer, Sun Yue on board.  Doesn’t make much sense for them.
• Meanwhile the San Francisco Chronicle is reporting that the Warriors are looking at Livingston.  Chris Mullin is traveling to Chicago today to see him work out.  This makes much more sense to me.  Why not give him a chance when all you’ve got is Marcus Williams and C.J. Watson.
• According to ESPN, Mike Krzyzewski said that he will continue to be involved with Team USA by helping with the model that Jerry Colangelo introduced.  When asked if he would coach the team again he said, “I’ll help in some capacity in consulting, in whatever they need to do.”  Despite the superior talent, Coach K deserves more credit for the job he did in stressing defense and teamwork to the Redeem Team.
• The Boston Globe is reporting that an autopsy revealed that fromer Blazer Kevin Duckworth died after his enlarged heart failed.  He was 44.  Catch your Duck tribute here.
• The Miami Herald is reporting that Dwayne Wade has said that his mission is to bring the team back to being a title contender.  This coming off a league-worst 15-win season.  They will be better with the Wade-Marion-Beasley trio but their situation at center prevents them from being considered a title contender. 
• The Salt Lake Tribune is speculating that the Jazz should consider making a play at acquiring Ben Gordon from the Bulls.  This makes no sense to me especially with how expensive Gordon will be.  The Jazz don’t need his outside shooting ability.  Stick with Kyle Korver and be happy you don’t have to overhaul your roster while bringing in Gordon, who apparently wants Monta Ellis money.
• The Toronto Sun is reporting that second round draft pick Kyle Weaver has signed a contract with the Oklahoma City franchise.  I think Weaver will be a good role player in this league.  Weaver is a solid defender who also has a versatile offensive game and had a knack for making big plays while playing in college at Washington State.  Good value in the second round if you ask me. 
• Finally the Rocky Mountain News is reporting that the Milwaukee Bucks and the Golden State Warriors will be playing two preseason games in China this October. 

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Photo via AP