Signing Day is Here!!
Well, after numerous delays in finalizing the new NBA collective bargaining agreement, today is officially the day when free agents are allowed to sign their new contracts. There have been many free agents who have already agreed upon deals with their old or new teams. There's been a few interesting items that need to be mentioned, and now that people are allowed to sign, what better a time to discuss.
Slow Down There Willie...
As discussed here already, The Sixers had already agreed to terms with each of their restricted free agents. However, today provided an interesting dilemma as it was disclosed that Willie Green needs knee surgery. So while Willie Green was at the Press Conference today, he did not join Kyle Korver and Samuel Dalembert in signing their new contracts.
Why didn't Willie sign the contract? Well, it turns out he didn't pass the physical. At this point in time, I'd say it's fairly obvious that the Sixers will still honor Willie with his contract (despite the wishes of A Fantasy Life readers). They had planned on giving him a very expanded role under new coach Mo Cheeks, who, along with Allen Iverson and Billy King, expressed sympathy for Willie and hoped him the best.
Here at A Fantasy Life though, my optimism has been greatly diminished. Here is a player that everyone spoke highly of, that supposedly dealt positively with his role on the team last year, and as soon as the first signs appear that he's going to be an important part of the team, he makes a rash decision and hurts himself. One must wonder if Jim O'Brien actually had good reasons for keeping Willie on the bench.
Seriously Joe... The Hawks?!?!
OK, so Joe Johnson is seen as an important part of the winningest team in the NBA last season. In the offseason, the same team decides that they will do anything to resign Johnson. They trade away his 3-point shooting running mate (Quentin Richardson) to free up the money to resign him. The Atlanta Hawks took a chance and agreed to sign Johnson to a maximum contract, which the Suns had the chance to match to keep him. The Suns decided he was worth it and had planned on matching said maximum contract. So therefore, Joe Johnson, who was exiled from Boston for sucking, had the chance to make the most money he could AND play for a team many thought would be at the top of the Western Conference and what does he do? He does what no other player would do.
Johnson told the Suns he wanted to play for the Hawks. He wanted to leave a winning team where he would have to differ to talented players like Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire to join a perennial loser in Atlanta where he would be the star player. No one but Joe Johnson understands this decision. NO ONE. Atlanta has some good young players, but no one saw this as a team that was really on the rise. Based on the money they'll be paying him, Johnson is now undoubtedly "The Man" in Atlanta. He'll be asked to lead the youngsters into the playoffs and teach them how to win. To me it seems like a lot of money to be giving someone who has had his one season as a contributor to a winning team.
In terms of fantasy though, Johnson's move is wonderful news. He'll be asked to do the same things he did in Phoenix, just a lot more of them. Expect the only statistic to decrease to be his shooting percentage, because of the coming increase in his number of shots. Johnson now goes from a 6th rounder to a 3rd or 4th rounder, with the potential to put up top 20 numbers.
Where's the Dap for the Baby Bulls?
Honestly, Joe Johnson gets a max deal from the Hawks and Tyson and Eddy can't get a sniff of a deal? How does this make sense? Tyson and Eddy are two of the best young big men and were integral parts of the Bulls success last year. Eddy can be a dominating low post offensive force, and Tyson's easily one of the best post defenders in the league. Now I can see how Eddy's heart problems would give some teams worry towards giving him a long term and big money deal, but Tyson led the league in 4th quarter blocks and rebounds.
This is one of those situations where it seems like the Bulls are scaring other teams away from making offers to these two youngsters by promising to match any deal. It seems that Tyson is almost guaranteed to return to Chicago. At this point, it's about 50/50 that I'll be forced to buy a new Eddy Curry jersey.
Slow Down There Willie...
As discussed here already, The Sixers had already agreed to terms with each of their restricted free agents. However, today provided an interesting dilemma as it was disclosed that Willie Green needs knee surgery. So while Willie Green was at the Press Conference today, he did not join Kyle Korver and Samuel Dalembert in signing their new contracts.
Why didn't Willie sign the contract? Well, it turns out he didn't pass the physical. At this point in time, I'd say it's fairly obvious that the Sixers will still honor Willie with his contract (despite the wishes of A Fantasy Life readers). They had planned on giving him a very expanded role under new coach Mo Cheeks, who, along with Allen Iverson and Billy King, expressed sympathy for Willie and hoped him the best.
Here at A Fantasy Life though, my optimism has been greatly diminished. Here is a player that everyone spoke highly of, that supposedly dealt positively with his role on the team last year, and as soon as the first signs appear that he's going to be an important part of the team, he makes a rash decision and hurts himself. One must wonder if Jim O'Brien actually had good reasons for keeping Willie on the bench.
Seriously Joe... The Hawks?!?!
OK, so Joe Johnson is seen as an important part of the winningest team in the NBA last season. In the offseason, the same team decides that they will do anything to resign Johnson. They trade away his 3-point shooting running mate (Quentin Richardson) to free up the money to resign him. The Atlanta Hawks took a chance and agreed to sign Johnson to a maximum contract, which the Suns had the chance to match to keep him. The Suns decided he was worth it and had planned on matching said maximum contract. So therefore, Joe Johnson, who was exiled from Boston for sucking, had the chance to make the most money he could AND play for a team many thought would be at the top of the Western Conference and what does he do? He does what no other player would do.
Johnson told the Suns he wanted to play for the Hawks. He wanted to leave a winning team where he would have to differ to talented players like Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire to join a perennial loser in Atlanta where he would be the star player. No one but Joe Johnson understands this decision. NO ONE. Atlanta has some good young players, but no one saw this as a team that was really on the rise. Based on the money they'll be paying him, Johnson is now undoubtedly "The Man" in Atlanta. He'll be asked to lead the youngsters into the playoffs and teach them how to win. To me it seems like a lot of money to be giving someone who has had his one season as a contributor to a winning team.
In terms of fantasy though, Johnson's move is wonderful news. He'll be asked to do the same things he did in Phoenix, just a lot more of them. Expect the only statistic to decrease to be his shooting percentage, because of the coming increase in his number of shots. Johnson now goes from a 6th rounder to a 3rd or 4th rounder, with the potential to put up top 20 numbers.
Where's the Dap for the Baby Bulls?
Honestly, Joe Johnson gets a max deal from the Hawks and Tyson and Eddy can't get a sniff of a deal? How does this make sense? Tyson and Eddy are two of the best young big men and were integral parts of the Bulls success last year. Eddy can be a dominating low post offensive force, and Tyson's easily one of the best post defenders in the league. Now I can see how Eddy's heart problems would give some teams worry towards giving him a long term and big money deal, but Tyson led the league in 4th quarter blocks and rebounds.
This is one of those situations where it seems like the Bulls are scaring other teams away from making offers to these two youngsters by promising to match any deal. It seems that Tyson is almost guaranteed to return to Chicago. At this point, it's about 50/50 that I'll be forced to buy a new Eddy Curry jersey.
posted by el123chico at 5:52 PM
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