Points in the Paint

» July 7, 2009 6:53 PM | By Brandon Hoffman

Ira Winderman: “Arguably, the best thing that happened to Dwyane Wade during his pro career also has been among the worst things when it has come to plotting the remainder of his pro career: Winning an NBA championship in only his third season. Since then, anything short of a ring has come off as abject failure. That’s what makes this current predicament so perplexing. The Heat is in steady-growth mode. It went from laughingstock two seasons ago to within a game of the Eastern Conference semifinals this past season. The mere growth of Michael Beasley and Mario Chalmers should be enough this coming season to improve on last season’s 43 victories. But Wade wants more, because he’s already had more. Over his first three seasons, his Heat teams won 33 playoff games. Over these past three, there have been only three more playoff wins.”

Steve Aschburner of SI.com: “Iverson says he wants to continue playing in the NBA but apparently only on his terms, with minutes and shots more of a priority than victories or rings. At least you can’t say dollars, since the pay cut he’ll be facing down to the mid-level exception (about $5.8 million) or some fraction thereof will be staggering wherever he goes. He just sounds incapable of changing, too insecure to handle the ‘Didn’t you used to be ‘The Answer’?’ looks and questions. In terms of NBA precedents, Iverson is way ahead of Shawn Marion and on the verge of eclipsing Latrell Sprewell as the most rapidly marginalized and fallen talent, non-crippling injury category. The transitions that Oscar Robertson, Wilt Chamberlain, Nate Archibald and Bob McAdoo successfully navigated, from Mr. Franchise types to supporting players who gained rings and added credibility late in their Hall of Fame careers, seems beyond him.”

Bethlehem Shoals on Detroit’s expected hiring of John Kuester: “The Cavs assistant might not be as well-known as Celtics assistant Tom Thibodeau, but his impact on the Cleveland offense was arguably as dramatic as what Thibodeau did to Boston’s defensive identity. Granted, both had huge assets to help light the way (LeBron and Garnett, respectively), but — and this is especially true for Kuester — there’s no mistaking his contribution to Cleveland’s game as anything other than the work of a great coaching mind.”

Terry Pluto of The Cleveland Plain Dealer: “While sources close to James are denying an ESPN report that James indicated to free agent forward Trevor Ariza that he planned to remain in Cleveland after his contract expires in 2010, James also has made it clear that he really has been happy playing for the franchise near his Akron home. James can show it several ways. He can simply pick up his player option for 2010-11 for about $17 million. He can sign an extension for up to six years and about $130 million. That’s the maximum deal and it’s one more season and about $25 million more than any other team can offer. He can go halfway, picking up the $17 million option and adding two more seasons to it — making it a three-year deal. Then he’d be a free agent in the summer of 2012. He’d be only 27 — right in the prime of his career. No doubt, the Cavs will be open to whatever James wants to do. Nothing can even begin to happen until July 18 — three years after he signed his last extension. He also can sign it any time between July 18 and June 30, 2010, when he becomes a free agent. This next statement is going to sound like it’s coming from a hometown yahoo, but I don’t care: He should sign some type of extension with the Cavs.“