NBA Offseason Stuff

[alfdogg 0]

The offer sheet wasn't rescinded. The debate was over having to give up stuff for him instead of just signing him and getting him without compensation.

[alfdogg 0]

BOSTON -- A judge stepped into the feud among Atlanta Hawks owners Tuesday, blocking the removal of Boston businessman Steve Belkin as managing partner.

 

Judge Allan van Gestel granted Belkin's request for a temporary injunction, saying a contract signed by all the owners last year prevents the group from voting him out.

 

The dispute stems from Belkin's refusal to approve a sign-and-trade deal for the Hawks to acquire guard Joe Johnson from the Phoenix Suns. As the team's NBA governor, he must sign off on all trades.

 

As part of the nine-member Atlanta Spirit LLC group, which also owns the NHL's Atlanta Thrashers and the operating rights to Philips Arena, Belkin owns 30 percent of the team.

 

The other members had planned to vote Tuesday to replace Belkin with co-owner Michael Gearon Jr. Instead, they asked NBA commissioner David Stern for permission to remove Belkin.

 

The ruling extends indefinitely a temporary restraining order obtained by Belkin last week and can be appealed to a higher court. The judge said Belkin's refusal to approve the Johnson deal was not grounds for his removal.

 

"It is hardly apparent on the present record that the deal for Johnson, however talented he may be ... is in the economic best interest of the franchise," the judge wrote. "Sometimes the cost is just too great."

 

The five-year contract the Hawks offered Johnson -- worth about $70 million, including $20 million for the first year -- would have made him the team's highest-paid player. Atlanta would also give Phoenix two first-round picks, second-year guard Boris Diaw and a $4.9 million trade exception.

 

"Steve Belkin simply thinks that's too much to pay for Joe Johnson," Belkin's lawyer, John Fabiano, told the judge.

 

The feud has overshadowed attempts in the offseason to improve the team with the fewest wins in the NBA last season.

 

James W. Quinn, a lawyer representing the other owners, compared the Johnson deal to the Celtics' acquisition of Larry Bird, a move that led to three NBA titles for Boston in the 1980s.

 

"This transaction -- the Joe Johnson transaction -- is one that is critical to the future of the Atlanta Hawks," he said.

 

Johnson, a five-year veteran who has played for Boston and Phoenix, averaged 17.1 points for the Suns last season.

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

[Ripper 0]

Yeah...thats funny.

 

But apparently, other teams are circling now, seeing that the deal might be die soon. Teams with the cap space are making offers, and there is a chance that a third team might be added to the deal.

 

I think that it is a given, that if the Hawks kill the trade and try to sign Johnson straight up, Phoenix WILL match it and will trade him to get something, possibly something better.

[Fökai 0]

EDIT: Damn, I misunderstood what Belkin wanted. He seems to be the lone owner that understands that the Suns won't re-sign JJ for that kind of money no matter Johnson wants.

[alfdogg 0]

Lakers waive Brian Grant via amnesty clause

 

Link~

[Sass 0]

Thank Grodd...

 

Now go pick up a decent outside shooter.

[MrRant 0]

You can't just type the much faster to type "God" can you?

[Sass 0]

It's totally intentional on my end though.

 

I don't believe there was a God so I just substitue his name for another being of higher power...GRODD!

 

Plus, isn't it a bad thing to use God's name in vain?

[MrRant 0]

God doesn't mean just the Christian God you know.

 

Perhaps you are refering to Habla, God of Cheese. Or Pan, the Goat God.

[Sass 0]

Pan's cool with me.

[Ripper 0]

EDIT: Damn, I misunderstood what Belkin wanted. He seems to be the lone  owner that understands that the Suns won't re-sign JJ for that kind of money no matter Johnson wants.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

The suns traded players for nothing to create the space to resign Johnson. The only reason they didn't is because when they called him to tell him that they were going to match, he told them not to, and that he wanted to go to the hawks. They didn't want to spend 70 mil on a player that didn't want to be there, so they said okay. Now, if they don't like the deal that the Hawks are offering (Belklin ACTUALLY believes the suns should take Boris Diaw for Joe Johnson) they will definately resign him and I wouldn't be suprised if they traded him to Dallas for Finley. They are planning on trading him because other teams are offering. If the Hawks are gambling on them not matching, they are definately going to lose.

[Ripper 0]

David Stern has upheld the teams decision to remove Belklin from his position, meaning that this trade will probably FINALLY go through tommorrrow. Pat Burke, and Scott Pdgent will finally be able to sign their deals with the suns, and the team can start looking forward to the Michael Finley sweepstakes, which will probably be a three team race between them, the Heat and the Nuggets.

[Fökai 0]

EDIT: Damn, I misunderstood what Belkin wanted. He seems to be the lone  owner that understands that the Suns won't re-sign JJ for that kind of money no matter Johnson wants.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

The suns traded players for nothing to create the space to resign Johnson. The only reason they didn't is because when they called him to tell him that they were going to match, he told them not to, and that he wanted to go to the hawks. They didn't want to spend 70 mil on a player that didn't want to be there, so they said okay. Now, if they don't like the deal that the Hawks are offering (Belklin ACTUALLY believes the suns should take Boris Diaw for Joe Johnson) they will definately resign him and I wouldn't be suprised if they traded him to Dallas for Finley. They are planning on trading him because other teams are offering. If the Hawks are gambling on them not matching, they are definately going to lose.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

Okay. I totally blanked out on what would happen if the Hawks completely gave up on the deal. Doh.

[alfdogg 0]

The Bulls will probably be after Finley, as well.

[alfdogg 0]

ESPN is saying that Doug Christie is expected to sign a one-year deal with Dallas after the Magic give him the amnesty treatment.

 

Also, Brevin Knight is expected to re-sign with the Bobcats and Dikembe Mutombo back with the Rockets. Mutombo also said he plans to retire in '07.

[alfdogg 0]

Christie was actually waived today; I didn't see that before posting this.

[The Czech Republic 0]

Silly Hawks. Why are they trying to improve?

[Fökai 0]

I'd like the Bulls to have Finley for the year or two (if he wants a short-term contract), but he's not going to be much of a contribution if Basden, Pargo, Duhon, Hinrich and Gordon are there.

 

Now, if we don't match the Raptor's offer sheet, Finley would serve well to start at the 2, since Gordon feels comfortable coming off the bench. Basically, it all comes down to Finley or Duhon.

[Ripper 0]

Finley is looking for a championship. He is getting older and wants a ring. I don't think the Bulls stand a chance, and I don't think Denver does for that matter. I think it will be between the Suns and the Heat.

 

In other news Jason Richardson was ordered to pay 7000 dollars a month in child support, after his ex girlfriend was seeking....get this....45,000 dollars PER MONTH in child support. 45,000 goddamn dollars a month. Damn.

[MrRant 0]

Women are greedy.

[Crimson Platypus 0]

Finley is looking for a championship.  He is getting older and wants a ring.  I don't think the Bulls stand a chance, and I don't think Denver does for that matter.  I think it will be between the Suns and the Heat.

 

In other news Jason Richardson was ordered to pay 7000 dollars a month in child support, after his ex girlfriend was seeking....get this....45,000 dollars PER MONTH in child support.  45,000 goddamn dollars a month.  Damn.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

 

This is exactly why, if I were a pro _____ that I would get my shit snipped ASAP.

 

Actually, didn't J-Rich have that kid back before MSU even? I can't remember for sure.. If so then his lawyer should have argued that he only had to maintain THAT lifestyle...

[Crimson Platypus 0]

In fact, his daughter, Jaela’ was born on 11/11/99. So yeah, I believe he was either a senior or about to enter college at that time...

[Ripper 0]

Yep, she had the baby when he was in college. He was already paying child support, but she felt that the amount should be changed to 45,000 per month.

[Crimson Platypus 0]

What a pile of bullshit. The whole point of child support is to be able to maintain the same lifestyle. Now I could be wrong, but I sincerely doubt that she (the baby) was living a $45,000/month lifestyle while he was at MSU. Of course, for whatever reason, the courts fail to recognize that it's not the baby's lifestyle that J-Rich (and others) is supporting with his payments, it's the mother's. That's some fucking bullshit imo.

[Ripper 0]

http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/3882560

 

Charley Rosen is a fucking idiot.

[Crimson Platypus 0]

Karl Malone

 

I've been on this guy's case many times before, and for the same reasons. He found various ways to choke in the 1996 Conference finals and in the 1997 and 1998 Finals — missed free throws, damaging turnovers, ill-advised shots, losing gambles on defense, and so on. In addition, his passing skills and his defense were both overblown, and his assist-turnover ration was a horrendous 5:4. There are only two reasons why Malone is deemed to be an elite power-forward — John Stockton, and longevity.

 

I've said almost this exact thing about Malone for years and no one would listen to me.

[Ripper 0]

I agree on Malone and all, but if you look at his list of GREATEST OF ALL TIME he has Malone as a top 5 PF of all time. He can't even make his own mind up.

[Sass 0]

In the NBA...who owes the most in child support cash to their baby's momma?

[Crimson Platypus 0]

Kemp possibly?

[Sass 0]

No wonder the man wants to make a comeback then.