The official 2003 NBA free agents thread

[Guest NaturalBornThriller4:20]

More good news today.

 

Melo, Maggette, and hopefully Arenas.

[Guest Polish_Rifle]

Why would ANYONE stay with a LOSING team that WILL NEVER go anywhere...where you can get the same $$$ for a team that SHOWS some sign of life...

 

God...Just exhust the waste that Is the Clipper Franchise. or Kill Sterling.

 

Which ever comes easier.

He's a restricted free agent, meaning if he signs with another team and the Clippers match that offer, he is FORCED to stay.

 

I'll work on that hit on Sterling if he doesn't resign at least half of his restricted free agents.

[Guest Mindless_Aggression]

I feel for mr. Piatowski. The man just keeps coming back to that team for more abuse. God dammit, he should sign with the Lakers too, let the man have a brief taste of being a winner.

 

Quick question: Why is everyone giving Malone and Payton so much shit over signing with the Lakers? I mean honestly, at the end of the day, can you blame them?!

[Guest Polish_Rifle]

Pike is a legend with the Clips. Hopefully he'll resign and have show some form of loyalty unlike Malone and Payton.

[Guest Lethargic]

Quick question: Why is everyone giving Malone and Payton so much shit over signing with the Lakers? I mean honestly, at the end of the day, can you blame them?!

Cause it's just more Lakers hating. I hate the Lakers myself but I can't hate two guys willing to give up money to play for a title. It's exactly what sports needs more of today. Every year people bitch and moan about players holding out for more money. Players only playing for the money instead of winning. Here are two of the best ever giving up millions of dollars to go to the best place to win. What the hell is wrong with that? NOTHING. These people complaining about it are morons because if Payton and Malone signed with THEIR teams, you wouldn't hear none of this bullshit. You think Polish would be complaining about it if the Clippers signed all their free agents and then added Malone and Payton? No, he'd be having title dreams floating in his head. Malone and Payton are un-loyal? WTF? Malone stuck with the Jazz for nearly 20 years and through most of those years he knew he had no shot at all to win a title but he stuck it out out of loyalty to the team, the fans and to Stockton. Now Stockton is gone. They are in complete rebuilding mode, there is no shot there to win at all and Malone wants one more shot at a title before retiring, how can you attack him for that? It's stupid. Hell, I think it would be a lot weirder to see Malone playing with the Jazz without Stockton. Not to mention the fact that Malone leaving helps the Jazz rebuild, if he stayed it would hinder their process for years. The same with Payton. The guy stayed with the Sonics for his entire career, even though for most of them they were nothing, until THEY traded HIM. Who was he supposed to be loyal to? The Bucks? A team he played for for a couple of months? A team that is in such a mess that they it'll take a decade or more to straighten it out? Give me a break.

[Guest Mindless_Aggression]

I agree totally Lethargic, nice to see someone not completely blinded by Laker hate. I can't stand the Lakers but hell, I hope Malone and Payton get that ring frankly. I mean Jesus, they spent their whole career being the focal point of a couple of teams in 2 of the crappiest areas in the US, one where it rains consistently, the other covered by those damn mormons and they finally get the team together that can make it to the finals after a decade and change of trying...and fuckin Michael Jordon is standing there waiting. Fuck it, stick some Laker unis on Barkley and Ewing, sit em on the bench and call it good.

 

In any case, what the hells with the Nuggets all of a sudden being interesting? If they can get what they want, it'll at the very least be a fun team to watch.

[Guest Dangerous A]

While I can't blame them for going for a ring and finally winning the big one, it'll be kind of hallow.

 

They have to take less money because they AREN'T GOOD ENOUGH TO WIN IT BEING THE FOCAL POINT OF THE TEAM. That is why I give them a smidge of shit. They've made their money and now want to win some hardware. That's fine and dandy. I just wish they would've chose elsewhere to do it.

 

The only example I see is if you can't win a title with you as the focal point and you're a big time player, come to LA, where you can ride the Shaq and Kobe express to the ring store.

 

In the end I won't see them having won a ring. I'll see it as Kobe and Shaq winning another ring and they just happened to be on their roster. Similar to Mitch Richmond. He's retired now and no one remembers his stint with the Lakers.

 

While I know Payton and Malone will play bigger roles on the team than Mitch, I won't equate them as being the reason they won it all unless Kobe or Shaq go down and those 2 grab the reigns and lead the way.

[Guest Choken One]

The question I've heard from some people was this

 

"Why not sign with a Eastern team and have an easier road to the finals or why not just sign with San Antonio who could afford them and Kidd..."

 

Yes...it's more Laker hate...but I thought I throw that out...

[Guest cartman]

Just imagine Payton abd Malone on the same team as Antoine Walker and Paul Pierce.

 

Yea I know it couldnt have happened anyways but that woulda made Boston VERY good for a year.

[Guest godthedog]

more power to malone and payton if they think going to LA will get them a ring, but i don't think it'll happen. this will not solve the lakers' problems; they need a better SHAQ and better ROLE PLAYERS, not more superstars. jackson will have to work even harder & go through more stress to find a way to make all these chiefs play as one unit, making him either a) not as good a coach, or b) more of a health risk than he already is. shaq's snowballing problems have already been addressed many times, and although kobe will only get better, he can't carry a team. if the spurs work on their discipline, they'll most likely eat this team alive.

 

even if this DOES put the lakers back on top, it's only for what--one season, maybe two? what happens after that? there's no long-term building going on here. they'll just get eaten alive the next year, and the year after that, and the year after that.

[Guest Lethargic]

While I can't blame them for going for a ring and finally winning the big one, it'll be kind of hallow.

 

They have to take less money because they AREN'T GOOD ENOUGH TO WIN IT BEING THE FOCAL POINT OF THE TEAM. That is why I give them a smidge of shit. They've made their money and now want to win some hardware. That's fine and dandy. I just wish they would've chose elsewhere to do it.

 

The only example I see is if you can't win a title with you as the focal point and you're a big time player, come to LA, where you can ride the Shaq and Kobe express to the ring store.

 

In the end I won't see them having won a ring. I'll see it as Kobe and Shaq winning another ring and they just happened to be on their roster. Similar to Mitch Richmond. He's retired now and no one remembers his stint with the Lakers.

 

While I know Payton and Malone will play bigger roles on the team than Mitch, I won't equate them as being the reason they won it all unless Kobe or Shaq go down and those 2 grab the reigns and lead the way.

So instead of trying to come up with excuses just say you hate the Lakers. The end. That's all I got out of it anyway cause everything else you said was so stupid it couldn't be your true feelings.

[Guest Human Fly]

ESPN.com and Sportsline are now reporting that Andre Miller will sign an offer sheet with the Nuggets. Assuming Maggette eventually signs as well, and assuming that neither offer sheet gets matched a possible starting lineup of Miller, Maggette, Anthony, Hilario, and Camby (if he is healthy) sounds decent.

Edited July 13, 2003 by Human Fly

[Bored 0]

More good news today.

 

Melo, Maggette, and hopefully Arenas.

I'd like to think that Arenas wouldn't sign with the Nuggets now after signing Miller. He'll probably end up with the Heat now or better yet back with the Warriors.

[Guest Mindless_Aggression]

Dammit, how dare the Nuggets go out and try to make themselves interesting. Thats one less team I can ignore and I am fresh off removing The Grizzlies from the list. Ah well.

[Guest Dangerous A]

So instead of trying to come up with excuses just say you hate the Lakers.  The end.  That's all I got out of it anyway cause everything else you said was so stupid it couldn't be your true feelings.

Well then, I Hate the Lakers!

 

 

However I don't think my line of thinking is stupid. If you read what I wrote, I said I don't blame them for going for the ring. I also tacked on that I DIDN'T FEEL that they would be the ones resonsible for winning a title and that they are just hitching a ride on the purple and gold express.

 

If the Lakers didn't sign Malone or Payton, they'd still be good favorites to possibly win it all anyways. Is my hatred for the Lakers making me hate the signings? You bet. Am I stupid for thinking that Malone and Payton want the easiest route possible for a ring since they couldn't do it when they were "THE MAN" on their other teams? I don't think so.

 

And yes, those are my true feelings. I'd feel the same way if they signed with any contending team, including the Kings.

[Guest alfdogg]

Nuggets may also get Tyronn Lue as well.

 

And hey, maybe if they had called Jordan for his push-off in 98, Malone may already have his ring and may not be on the Lakers today.

[Guest goodhelmet]

the clips are reported to have matched denver's offer and he will remain a clipper.

 

as for san antonio, winning a championship had its drawbacks for this year. if they sign a big free agent, which they cant do, then that free agent would be the reason they didn't repeat. if they repeat, well that person just gravy trained tim's greatness. oh well, the spurs still have enough financial flexibility to stay strong.

[Guest Dangerous A]

as for san antonio, winning a championship had its drawbacks for this year. if they sign a big free agent, which they cant do, then that free agent would be the reason they didn't repeat. if they repeat, well that person just gravy trained tim's greatness. oh well, the spurs still have enough financial flexibility to stay strong.

Careful there, helmet.

 

According to Lethargic, that line of thinking is stupid.

[Guest Choken One]

the clips are reported to have matched denver's offer and he will remain a clipper.

 

as for san antonio, winning a championship had its drawbacks for this year. if they sign a big free agent, which they cant do, then that free agent would be the reason they didn't repeat. if they repeat, well that person just gravy trained tim's greatness. oh well, the spurs still have enough financial flexibility to stay strong.

Why? Sterling? Why?

 

 

You CLEARLY could give two shits about the team...

 

Let the guy play for a team that WANTS to win...

 

 

Fuck you Sterling...An fucking disgrace and cancer on the face of everything that was once beautiful.

[Guest Vern Gagne]

I caught the tail end of an interview on ESPN radio Saturday night. A reporter was saying he thought, after Payton unofficially announced he signed with the Lakers and Malone was doing the same thing, Malone felt backed into a corner, an interesting thought.

It's hard to judge a guy who takes a 17 million dollar pay cut to play a team heavily favorite to win a title next year. I however do have questions if the ring was the sole reason he signed. However, I'm very skeptical when it comes to sports so that's just my nature.

[Guest Lethargic]

If the Lakers didn't sign Malone or Payton, they'd still be good favorites to possibly win it all anyways. Is my hatred for the Lakers making me hate the signings? You bet. Am I stupid for thinking that Malone and Payton want the easiest route possible for a ring since they couldn't do it when they were "THE MAN" on their other teams? I don't think so.

But I don't see what is so wrong with that. Malone can't win one as the man because he's too old to be the man these days. So what's wrong with him being a role player? Your original argument seemed to totally discount players that are't superstars as if they don't deserve to win rings. Shaq and Kobe wouldn't be three time champions without the play of Horry and Fisher for those three years. The Lakers were going to sign SOMEBODY to fill those slots. Why can't it be these guys? If they signed Juwan Howard and Travis Best instead, would that be OK? Look at the Spurs. The Spurs only have what, 6 players signed? Does that mean that the rest of the guys they sign to fill out their roster will all be nothing but beggars and hangers on looking for a free ride? Come on, give me a break. Are people really gonna put down Olowokandi if he leaves the Clippers to go to the Spurs?

 

And why should Malone and Payton be penalized because they weren't good enough to carry those shitty teams they were on to titles? There are hundreds of guys not good enough to carry a team to a title, does that mean they shouldn't have the right to play for one? You put Shaq on some of those Jazz and Sonics teams and they still don't win a title. So why should I expect Malone or Payton to be able to do it? And why does their past matter? We are talking about the here and now. If the Jazz were in ANY position to win ANYTHING right now, we wouldn't be having this discussion cause Malone would still be there. But this team is completely bare now. Who would the second best player be behind Malone? Matt Harpring? I'm supposed to expect a 40 year old to waste the final years of his career on a basement dwelling team led by Matt Harpring?? And how could I ever put down Payton for leaving the Bucks? Let's see, stay there and play with such greats as Tim Thomas and Michael Redd and try to compete for the #1 lottery pick or go to the Lakers and play with Shaq and Kobe and compete for a title, tough choice there.

 

If THEY don't deserve the chance, why does Shaq deserve a ring? When he was the "man" he didn't win a damn thing either. He didn't win anything until Kobe and Phil came along. And let's not forget how Shaq became a Laker in the first place. He left Orlando, a title contender completely built around him, to go to the Lakers for money. He didn't go for a shot at the championship like Malone and Payton are doing because the team he was on had just went to the finals, he went to the Lakers for the money and so he could hang out in Hollywood and make bad movies. At least these guys are going for the right reasons.

[Guest alfdogg]

Just saw that Juwan Howard has reached an agreement on a 5-year deal with Orlando.

[Guest Vern Gagne]

No player deserves a ring. If you happen to win a title than great. In most cases you've earned it. Some are lucky they play with Micheal Jordan. *coughcoughLucLongleycoughcough*

[Guest alfdogg]

This is what I've conjured up from various articles.

 

Nesterovic has narrowed his choices down to Minnesota and San Antonio, with New York as a longshot.

 

Denver is interested in Andre Miller, Corey Magette, Gilbert Arenas, Olowokandi, and Tyronn Lue.

 

Lue is also said to have interest from Orlando, Detroit, and Miami, but prefers the team that drafted him (those weren't his words, I just threw that in there), the Nuggets.

 

Brad Miller seems to be down to Indiana, San Antonio and Dallas.

 

Olowokandi also is attracting interest from Memphis and Miami, and new Clipper coach Mike Dunleavy has said he'll whatever he can to keep him around.

 

Pippen looks to be headed back to the Bulls, and says a spot in the front office after he retires will play a big part in that decision.

[Guest Ripper]

Whoa Whoa Whoa, Don't say MALONE couldn't win with the shitty team. Say the team couldn't win without a gutless choking bastard being the go to guy.

 

Call Jordans push off on Russell..fine. But what about for two years straight with the game on the line Malone turning the ball over while the game was tied. Stockton, Horneck, Russell, Hell, Ostertag played their asses off in those finals. Malone put up big numbers but did NOTHING in the 4th quarters. I don't want to hear anyone boo-hoo for him not getting a title because he is the one who coughed it up.

 

And Payton? Mr. "I'm the glove, unless you are point guard in the playoffs" Payton gave up ridiculous amounts of points to opposing Point Guards EVERY year in the playoffs. KJ, Abdul-Rauf, Robert Pack, Nick Van Exel, Sedale Threat, EVERY year the point would be destroying him while he had a team with 3 all-stars and Hersey hawkins hitting any shot that he could get.

 

They didn't win championships because they weren't good enough, not because of the teams. They weren't good enough then, and unless they both develop a consistant outside shot, they won't be good enough now. If the Lakers had signed Juwan Howard and Travis Best would it have been better? YES. Howard is a better defender, scorer and rebounder than Malone is now and younger. Best is a better shooter than Payton. The lakers didn't sign them on talent, they signed them on name value. I don't like the lakers because shaq is a cocky bastard that gets away with murder in the paint and has the nerve to call himself the best. I don't like the lakers because Kobe Bryant is MAYBE the 4-5 best 2 guard in the league but swears that he is the best(and so do the commentators.) I don't like the lakers because they complain about officiating but get every call under the moon and were part of 2 of the most disgustingly oneside officiating games I have ever seen in my 20 years watching the game (Game 6 in Sacramento last year and the OT game vs the Wolves this year). I don't like the Lakers because the league wanted another dynasty and did everything in their power to make people buy the Lakers as one. But if they had went and got a defending, rebounding 4 and a couple of legit shooters, then I would gladly say they made smart moves. BUT THEY DIDN't And if they don't take a shot at a Steve Kerr, or Steve Smith or Eric Piakowski, they still did nothing in the offseason. The spurs are STILL better at 3 positions, and all they will be playing is the same Laker team without the shooting ability of Derek Fisher on the court.

[Guest Spicy McHaggis]

I don't like the lakers because shaq is a cocky bastard that gets away with murder in the paint and has the nerve to call himself the best. I don't like the lakers because Kobe Bryant is MAYBE the 4-5 best 2 guard in the league but swears that he is the best(and so do the commentators.) I don't like the lakers because they complain about officiating but get every call under the moon and were part of 2 of the most disgustingly oneside officiating games I have ever seen in my 20 years watching the game (Game 6 in Sacramento last year and the OT game vs the Wolves this year). I don't like the Lakers because the league wanted another dynasty and did everything in their power to make people buy the Lakers as one. But if they had went and got a defending, rebounding 4 and a couple of legit shooters, then I would gladly say they made smart moves. BUT THEY DIDN't And if they don't take a shot at a Steve Kerr, or Steve Smith or Eric Piakowski, they still did nothing in the offseason. The spurs are STILL better at 3 positions, and all they will be playing is the same Laker team without the shooting ability of Derek Fisher on the court.

There is no possible way in this universe that I couldn't disagree with you more. Everything you wrote is wrong.

[Guest Polish_Rifle]

It’s put up or shut up time for Sterling and the Clips. Maggette will sign a 6 year deal with Utah and Andre will sign a 6 year deal with the Nuggets for $55 million on Wednesday.

 

On Miller: I won’t blame Sterling if he passes in Miller, especially after his awful season last year. $9 million a year is a lot of money for a guy who did not show the poise and leadership skills that the Clips hoped for when they traded their fan-favorite Darius Miles last season. Besides, we still have Keyon Dooling, who showed signs of being able to run the team and play in this league effectively when he is not injured. We also have Marko Jaric, who was robbed by his omission from the 1st and 2nd All Rookie team. This man can play the 1, 2 and the 3. He has great court vision, ball handling skills, can shoot, steal and is hands down a feisty and tough competitor. He starts for the Yugoslavian National team so you know he can run a ball club.

 

On Maggette: I don’t think the Clips can let Corey go simply for the fact that he is such a rising star. His jump shot has improved considerable since he came into the league and defensively, the Clips will really miss his ability to match up against opposing team’s athletic 2’s and 3’s. I think the Clips will/should match any offer under $7 million per year. Anything more than that, is a toss up since we still have Quentin Richardson, who will be a restricted free agent next season.

 

Bottom line, Sterling must resign at least 3 of his free agents (Brand, Odom, Maggete/Kandi) in order to show his team and this city that he is committed to winning. By resigning a few free agents, the players will be content to play team basketball instead of playing selfishly like last season and padding their stats. The next 2 weeks should be an indication of whether things have changed for the better in Clipperland or if I will continue to exist in my delusional state as a Clipper fan.

[Guest NaturalBornThriller4:20]

Nuggets may also get Tyronn Lue as well.

 

And hey, maybe if they had called Jordan for his push-off in 98, Malone may already have his ring and may not be on the Lakers today.

Bah.

 

What about when Reggie Miller pushed off on Jordan more than once during the 98 Conf Finals.

[Guest Ripper]

Nuggets may also get Tyronn Lue as well.

 

And hey, maybe if they had called Jordan for his push-off in 98, Malone may already have his ring and may not be on the Lakers today.

Bah.

 

What about when Reggie Miller pushed off on Jordan more than once during the 98 Conf Finals.

What about Jordan taking 5 steps on the way to the basket on...well...damn near every play in game 7.

[Kurt Angle Mark 0]

Being a Clipper fan myself here is my take on their free agents

 

Miller: I really feel that he deserves a second chance. He struggled at the World Championships and it carried over to last season. In his defense its tough to be a leader when no one is on the same page and only care about padding their own stats. However with that been said, i think that $ 9 million is too much money, I wouldn't sign him for that much so I would understand if Sterling doesn't either. Looking back at things the Clippers should have traded for Baron Davis because he is the fearless guy they needed in crunch time when they blew all those 4th quarters leads. Honestly if the games lasted 3 quarters the Clippers would have been a playoff team last year.

 

Maggette: I feel that the Clippers don't really need to have him back because they got Odom, but if you let him go the Clippers might regret for a long long time. I say they should match offer from Utah.

 

Odom: I'm confident he will stay because he is Sterling's boy.

 

Brand: I feel that no matter how much the Clippers offer, he will only sign for one year so that he can become an unrestricted free agent next year. Hope i'm wrong though.

 

Olowokandi: Try to sign him back if possible. I just have this feeling that whoever signs him will have the steal of the free agent market.

 

Piatkowski: He is the man, so they better sign him back too.

 

the good thing is that the NBA also has a salary floor meaning that each team's payroll has to be above a certain number therefore that means that the Clippers have to sign somebody whether they want to or not.