Loading ...Kevin Arnovitz of ClipperBlog: “I don’t know how fair it is to judge Elton. Only a small collection of people know for certain what was said and not said in the confines of meetings, emails, formal and informal negotiations. Should a group of strangers’ potential grief dictate a decision as important as where a person should live and whom he has to work for? That’s asking a lot. Was Elton deceptive and insincere, or was his decision based on an honest desire to be close to family and work in an environment most to his liking? My guess is the truth — as it usually does — lies somewhere in between. But that doesn’t make it any easier to take.”
Ramona Shelburne the Daily News: “By moving the Philadelphia, Brand is closer to his hometown in upstate New York, back in the less-competitive Eastern Conference, and able to join one of the up-and-coming young teams in the league.”
John Hollinger of ESPN Insider: “Are the Philadelphia 76ers, as presently constituted, good enough to win the East in the 2008-09 season? Doubtful. But are the Sixers good enough to win a playoff series or two and scare the bejeezus out of Detroit and Boston? You bet. And if they add a shooter and get another year of growth from all their young studs, will they be in position to win the conference in 2010? Absolutely.”
The Clippers Get Baron Davis, Let’s Sing About It: Remix?
David Friedman of 20 Second Timeout: “If there is such a thing as karma then what did Clippers’ fans do in their previous lives to deserve the ACL tears, ruptured Achilles tendons and assorted other injuries, mishaps and boneheaded moves that they have suffered through in the past 25 years or so?”
Wendell Maxey of Hoops World: “Obviously retaining two all-stars in Jamison and Arenas is an enormous achievement, but that doesn’t mean both moves are devoid of criticism. Some actually believe waving bye-bye to both players and rebuilding around Caron Butler would have been a wiser decision. After the Jamison and Arenas spending spree (a combined $161 million), Washington now has no cap room to chase a marquee free agent in 2010, if that was even in their cards.”
Broderick Turner of The Press-Enterprise: “Lakers forward-center Ronny Turiaf agreed to a four-year, $17 million offer from the Golden State Warriors, according to two league sources. Turiaf is a restricted free agent. The Lakers have seven days to match the Warriors’ offer.” (Hat tip: RealGM)
Ronald Tillery of the Memphis Commercial Appeal: “With “Dedication” tattooed on his left bicep and “Sacrifice” on his right, O.J. Mayo stood at the center of attention. With his play, the Grizzlies’ highly touted draft pick suggested yet another word. “Smooth.” That’s how new teammate Mike Conley described Mayo’s game. Griz general manager Chris Wallace used the word, too, in a separate conversation.” (Hat tip: 3 Shades of Blue)
NBA.com: “The National Basketball Association today announced that the Salary Cap for the 2008-09 season will be $58.680 million. The new Cap goes into effect immediately as the league’s “moratorium period” has ended and teams can begin signing free agents and making trades. The tax level for the 2008-09 season has been set at $71.150 million. Any team whose team salary exceeds that figure will pay a $1 tax for each $1 by which it exceeds $71.150 million.”
