Sam Presti Looks to Summer 2009 to Make a Big Splash

As new SuperSonics general manager, Sam Presti, begins to build his team, he clearly has an eye on the summer of 2009. With shooting guard, Jeff Green, and small forward, Kevin Durant, to build around, Presti will be looking to add to his squad.

Fortunately, at that time, he will have several major contracts coming off his payroll, including:

Wally Szczerbiak - $13,000,000
Chris Wilcox - $6,750,000
Robert Swift - $3,579,131
Delonte West - $2,762,828

At that time, only Luke Ridnour, Earl Watson, Nick Collison, Damien Wilkens, Saer Sene, Johan Petro, Durant, and Green will remain on the payroll. Those eight players total at $22,650,000.

So, if Presti wants to add some major talent at that time, what will be available? Well, if he’s looking for an all-star, Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, Chris Paul, Carlos Boozer, and Kevin Garnett may be on the market. If Presti is looking for an emerging star, he may have his choices of Andrew Bynum, Channing Frye, David Lee, Danny Granger, Gerald Green, Jason Maxiell, Marvin Williams, and Raymond Felton. If he thinks that he just needs to add a veteran to his squad to push them over the top, Andre Miller, Drew Gooden, Eddy Curry, and Lamar Odom could be options.

So along with acquiring two building blocks on this past draft night, Presti also set his team up to acquire more talent down the line. It may not be long until Presti has success in building Seattle into the Spurs of the northwest.

All Pro Sports & Entertainment Differentiates Themselves

Below is an article discussing how All Pro Sports & Entertainment's agents differentiate themselves from their competition.

"Professional approach wins over Wisconsin lineman's family"
By Liz Mullen,
Sports Business Journal, February 12-18, 2007
Page 14

Joe Thomas, the top offensive lineman in this year's NFL draft, chose his agents based on a presentation that went beyond what kind of pre-combine training they could offer, his father says.

Thomas, a 6-foot-8, 310-pound left tackle from Wisconsin ranked No. 2 by ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. and No. 3 by Web site NFLDraftBlitz.com , has singed with Denver-based All Pro Sports & Entertainment and veteran agents Peter Schaffer and Lamont Smith for representation.

All Pro hired a nutritionist to shop for and prepare meals for Thomas, who consumes about 8,000 calories a day, and set up interviews at the Senior Bowl for the lineman with the teams that hold the top four picks in the draft, said his father, Eric Thomas.

"We looked at the skill of negotiation as the single most important aspect of what an agent can do," Eric Thomas said. Some agents told the family that Thomas' future NFL contract would depend a great deal on his slot in the draft.

"Peter was able to show us there are nuances to contracts," Eric Thomas said. "It was like Peter being a professor to my wife and myself and Joe," he said.

Grant Hill Joins the Phoenix Suns

Yesterday, Grant Hill's agent, Lon Babby, announced he is leaving the Orlando Magic after several injury-plagued seasons to join the Phoenix Suns. Babby said Hill agreed to a two-year deal worth about $1.8 million for the first year, with a second-year player option for about $2 million.

This move was setup by a series of moves that Suns general manager, Steve Kerr, made. The Suns shipped small forward James Jones to the Trail Blazers as part of the deal in which Portland bought the 24th pick from Phoenix for $3 million Thursday. Jones has one guaranteed year left on a contract that pays him $2.9 million and a player option of $3.15 million for the 2008-09 season.

The Trail Blazers had a $3,000,000 trade exception that they moved to Phoenix in this trade. Therefore, the Suns saved just over $6,000,000 in salary owed to Jones over the next two yaears, plus the $3,000,000 in the exception. In the end, moving Jones to the Blazers became more than a $9,000,000 benefit for the Phoenix Suns.

Plus, with the Suns over the threshold, that $3 million would have been subject to the NBA’s dollar-for-dollar luxury tax penalty. By clearing some cap space there, the Suns created a spot for Hill to join the team.

Let's compare the two players numbers from last season:

James Jones (Suns)
76 Games, 7 Started
18.1 MPG
.368 FG%
.378 3P%
2.3 RPG
0.6 APG
0.4 SPG
6.4 PPG

Grant Hill (Magic)
65 Games, 64 Started
30.9 MPG
.518 FG%
.167 3P%
3.6 RPG
2.1 APG
0.9 SPG
14.4 PPG

The two players' numbers are somewhat similar, with Hill playing more minutes per game and scoring more points per game than Jones. At the same time, Jones was on the second-best team in the league, and his minutes were limited with superior players in front of him in the rotation.

Now, lets compare the salaries of the two players:

James Jones
26 years old
2007/08: $2,904,000
2008/09: $3,156,000 (Player Option)

Grant Hill
34 years old
2007/08: $1,800,000
2008/09: $2,000,000 (Player Option)

On the surface, you can see that Hill's numbers were better than Jones' and he will be making less money over the next two seasons. Although Jones' best days maybe ahead of him, and Hill's are most likely behind him, this was a great move by the Suns. In their pursuit of a championship next year, Hill will be much more valuable than Jones would be. Jones fell out-of-favor with Suns head coach, Mike D'Antoni, only playing 171 minutes in eleven playoff games at the end of this season. Additionally, Hill will take over the role of the point man when Steve Nash is out of the game. In previous seasons, Boris Diaw played this spot for the Suns, but Hill should be more efficient.

The signing of Hill was a no-risk deal, which is structured well-enough that if his injury woes resurface, the franchise will not be handcuffed. Phoenix selected Wisconsin SF, Alando Tucker, at pick number 29, who will eventually replace Hill once he ends his career. Tucker is experienced enough that if these problems do come up with Hill, he will be able to step-in and make a difference with his tremendous athleticiscm and ability to play bigger than his height.

Ranking Young Point Guards

With this year's NBA Draft now past us, many will immediately begin to look towards next year’s rookie class. Point guards rule next years group led by O.J. Mayo (USC), Derrick Rose (Memphis), Ty Lawson (North Carolina), Sherron Collins (Kansas), D.J. Augustin (Texas), Scottie Reynolds (Villanova), Mario Chalmers (Kansas). With anticipation of possibly seven point guards being drafted in the first round next year, let’s take a lay-of-the-land and check out the top fifteen true point guards (Monta Ellis, Acie Law, and Leandro Barbosa ruled ineligible) twenty-five years old or younger:

(1) Deron Williams, Utah Jazz, 23

Williams has trimmed down his body fat since entering the league and has continued to show that he has a great grasp of Jazz coach, Jerry Sloan's system. He really knows how to play the game and is one of the best passers in the league. He has a knack for hitting big shots and is a great leader. He is able to compensate on defense for his lack of food speed by playing great position defense. Although he is not the most athletic point guard out there, he is able to bull his way to the hoop by overpowering smaller and weaker defenders. Williams has really improved dramatically each year in the league, and there is no reason to think that this will not continue.

(2) Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets, 22

Paul excels on offense in transition, making lead passes for dunks and lay-ups. In the half court, he has a great handle, including a deadly hesitation move with his right hand. Paul exhibits great court vision and plenty of shot-making skill around the basket. His one weakness right now is outside shooting, but considering how well he shoots free throws that should improve as he acclimates to the longer NBA three point line. Defensively, Paul is very good at getting into the passing lanes and coming away with the ball. The flip side of that is that he must gamble less, or choose his prey more carefully. Paul has quick feet and good strength, though as an undersized player in the league, he's always going to have difficulty with bigger guards backing him down.

(3) Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs, 25

Coming off his third NBA Championship and first as the MVP of the Finals, Parker has certainly solidified himself as one of the best point guards in the NBA. Much like Paul, Parker has mastered the ability to get into the lane at will. Parker is a deadly weapon on pick-and-roll plays because of his quickness. Defenders try to go under the screen and force Parker to shoot a jumper, but he's so fast that he often can beat defenders to the other side and go in for a lay-up. He also has a superb teardrop shot - perhaps the best in the game - which he uses to great effect when he can't get all the way to the rim. Unlike his jumper, Parker has always shot the teardrop with plenty of arc, and he releases it very fast. Defensively, Parker is underrated. Between his outstanding quickness and his now considerable experience, he's become one of the better defenders at his position. Long-range shooting is the biggest weakness in Parker's game.

(4) Devin Harris, Dallas Mavericks, 24

Harris has blinding quickness off-the-dribble reminiscent of Kevin Johnson, and seems able to get to the basket at will. He needs to get better at finishing once he's there, however, as he had a penchant for blowing layups. His shooting also seems to be inconsistent. Harris could stand to take more three point attempts in order to open his game up. In order to raise his game to the elite level, he will need to work on this perimeter shooting. On the defensive end, based on his quickness and size he can defend both point guards and shooting guards.

(5) Mike Conley, Memphis Grizzlies, 20

Conley is an ultra-quick lefty point guard with a solid feel for running a team. His ability to get by opposing guards and into the paint is on the elite level. He makes great decisions on the floor and has a great wingspan for a point guard. He is an above average athlete and plays the passing lanes well. Conley has a nice assortment of midrange runners and shots in the paint going towards the rim. His outside shooting is still a major question mark, and could stand to improve his percentage at the free throw line. However, he has proven in the past to be fearless and steps up big when it matters.

(6) Raymond Felton, Charlotte Bobcats, 23

Felton has outstanding quickness going to the basket and has a talent for creating plays off the dribble. He sees the court well, especially in transition, and he's a good rebounder for his size. Offsetting that is a shaky jump shot and finishing skills. Felton struggles to convert when he went to the rim against bigger defenders. Felton will also need to improve his overall defensive skills.

(7) T.J. Ford, Toronto Raptors, 24

Ford is a jackrabbit point guard who excels at pushing the ball and getting his team open-court opportunities. In the half court he can penetrate almost at will thanks to his quickness and an outstanding change of pace move. He tends to get in trouble when he over-penetrates, causing turnovers. Ford is a poor outside shooter who defenses continually dare to shoot. His weak shot makes him very easy to defend on pick-and-rolls, because the defender can go under the screen and know that Ford won't beat him from outside. Ford is great at pressuring the ball, but is a magnet for post-up guards.

(8) Marcus Williams, New Jersey Nets, 21

Though not a great athlete, Williams is a smooth operator at the point reminiscent of Mark Jackson. He sees the floor, can break down defenses, and has good size for his position. He's not a great shooter, but his lefthanded shot appears good enough to keep opponents honest. He may still be a step slow to defend the league’s top point guards, but as he gains more game experience, his defense should improve.

(9) Jarrett Jack, Portland Trail Blazers, 23

While his defense is certainly NBA-quality, Jack’s inability to connect from outside makes him less of a threat on the pick-and-roll. Of particular concern is his turnover ratio, although it did improve last season. With a solid base, Jack has the strength to power his way to the rim when he gets a step on defenders, and he may be able to develop a post game that complements his strength when he's opposed by smaller guards.

(10) Jameer Nelson, Orlando Magic, 25

Nelson is a short point guard, but powerfully built and penetrates explosively when going to the right. He shoots the ball well from the three point line, making him deadly in the pick-and-roll. Nelson's strength allows him to muscle up shots after taking contact, although he seems more content to pull up or shoot a floater. He's a score-first point guard but he's not blind either. Nelson is really good at pressuring the ball, forcing dribblers to take time off the shot clock while working upcourt, and he does it without taking unnecessary gambles.

(11) Sergio Rodriguez, Portland Trail Blazers, 21

Rodriguez is an outstanding dribbler and passer, has good size and at a young age, can still improve greatly. His outside shot and defense both are major question marks. He also needs to improve his physical strength in order to improve his overall effectiveness. Rodriguez owns a lethal crossover, and can take any defender one-on-one. He also has the ability to find the open teammate in traffic, but still can sometimes be careless with the ball. As he gets more experience, Rodriguez will continue to improve and may become one of the best point guards in the league in the near future.

(12) Jose Calderon, Toronto Raptors, 25

Calderon is a speedy dribbler with long arms. He dribbles equally well with both hands and sees the floor very well. He continually posts excellent assists numbers, but sometimes gets in trouble when he drives and leaves his feet before knowing where he'll pass the ball. Calderon needs to improve his outside shot, so opponents cannot sag off him. Because of he currently struggles with his outside shot, defenders force him to drive into crowds when he penetrates, which often leads to turnovers. Defensively, Calderon's length and quickness make him a good perimeter defender, but he needs to add muscle. Adding some meat on his bones would also help him absorb contact at the offensive end when he goes to the rim.

(13) Rajon Rondo, Boston Celtics, 21

Quickness, long arms, and the ability to push the pace give many hope that Rondo will be a success in the NBA. He has great body control and finishes well at the basket. However, a lack of a jump shot could put that success in jeopardy. Defensively, Rondo excels with quick hands and a knack for stealing the ball. He’s also a fantastic rebounder for a guard, but his understanding of the game must evolve.

(14) Kyle Lowry, Memphis Grizzlies, 21

Although he has great promise, Lowry has struggled to get playing time in the league. He is an energetic, ball-hawking guard who can penetrate and dish. Lowry is a gritty and tough defender, who has a knack for stealing the ball. In the past, he has shown a big heart and great passion for the game. He plays bigger than his actual size and is a very physical guard. His jump shot off the dribble is his biggest weakness. His overall perimeter game needs more consistency.

(15) Sebastian Telfair, Boston Celtics, 22

Telfair is incredibly quick and a fantastic ball handler, qualities which made him a lottery pick. The first player of his size to turn pro directly out of high school, Telfair has taken his lumps in the NBA largely because of his poor jump shot. With defenders sagging several feet off him and daring him to shoot, his trademark penetrating ability has been neutralized. Because of this, his assist ratio has struggled. However, this is not because of his inability to see the floor – he can be a dazzling passer at times. It's just that he has no answer right now when teams take that play away. He needs to become a better finisher around the basket. Telfair thrives in an up-tempo environment, which would also have helped him defensively. With a small frame, he is great at pressuring the ball, but vulnerable when defending bigger guards.

Magic Launch Themselves to the Top of the East

ESPN is reporting this morning that small forward, Rashard Lewis, told the Orlando Magic on Monday morning that he plans to leave the Seattle SuperSonics to sign a max contract with Orlando on July 11. The exact value of a maximum contract won't be known until the league announces the salary-cap figure in effect next season on July 11. However, the agreement is believed to be between $75 million and $85 million over five seasons.

With the addition of the 27 year old small forward, Lewis, the Magic instantly become contenders in the East. Pairing Lewis and Magic big man, Dwight Howard, the Magic have one of the best one-two punches in the Eastern Conference. Here is a look at the other duos in the East and where they compare to the Lewis-Howard tandem.

Kidd-Carter: With Kidd having just turned 34 and Carter on the wrong side of 30, this duo probably does not have much left in the tank. Since both players play in the backcourt, the Nets are lacking talent in the post. Therefore, the Magic led by Howard and Lewis are the better duo.

Marbury-Randolph: A true inside-outside combination, the Knicks certianly have a lot of talent between these guys. The one problem remains that both players have a history of selfishness and there are questions of whether they can coexist. In addition, these two are not half the defenders that Lewis and Howard are. So again, I'm taking the Magic's Lewis-Howard combo.

Pierce-Allen: These two will certainly be fun to watch this year at the Fleet Center. Both are talented wing players who are amongst the best shooters in the league. Unfortunately, they are both talented wing players, leaving the Celtics without much inside. Based on age, potential for injury, and size, I'm taking Lewis and Howard over Pierce and Allen.

Wade-O'Neal: A year ago, most people would take the Heat's duo over the Magic's new pairing. However, today I think most would take the Magic's inside-outside combination. At 35, O'Neal certainly looks like he is coming down towards the end of his career. He only played 40 games last season, and for the first time in his career, he did not manage to average 20 points per game. Although he was often injured last year, Wade is still one of the best players in the league. Based on age and a downward trend in production, I would go with Dwight Howard at 21 and Rashard Lewis at 27 over the Heat's two top stars.

Arenas-Jamison: This is where it gets interesting when comparing duos. Arenas finished third last year in the league in points per game, while Jamison managed to finish twentied in the league in the same category. However, I would still go with the Magic's twosome over the Wizards'. If you compare the two today, I would probably give a slight edge to the Magic. However, if you compare the two for tomorrow, the Magic easily get the edge. Arenas has announced that he will be opting out of his contract after this season and Jamison will become an unrestricted free agent after this season. Howard and Lewis are younger and have more certainty around their future than the Wizards.

Billups-Wallace: The Pistons pairing puts up the biggest fight against Lewis and Howard. With Wallace and Billups, the team has won more than fifty games every year for the last four years. They have also reached the NBA Finals twice, while winning it once. Nevertheless, these Pistons are now on the wrong side of 30 and Billups' contract status is in flux. Billups is currently a free agent, but has made it known that he prefers to return to the Pistons. Based on their past, if you assume that these two both return this upcoming season, I would take the Pistons combination over the Magic's for next season. However, past that, I am going with the Magic.

Once the dust clears and all the lines are signed, the Magic have catapulted themselves to the upper echelon of the Eastern Conference. With young, big man, Dwight Howard, and talented Rashard Lewis about to enter his prime, the Magic have one of the best pairings in the conference. Although the Billups-Wallace due maybe better now, the Howard-Lewis combination will be better for years to come.

Assuming the Magic do not bring back Darko Milicic or Grant Hill, they will still have some wholes to fill in their lineup. They will need to find a big man to put next to Dwight Howard in the post, and another strong shooting year from Hedo Turkoglu. The development of point guard, Jameer Nelson, and wing player, Trevor Ariza, will also be vital towards the Magic's success. However, with the duo of Howard and Lewis, the Magic have guaranteed themselves to be contenders to win the Eastern Conference.

Spurs Believe in Value-Based Management

(Excerpt comes from a SI article called "Super Model" by Jack McCallum.)

But the Spurs stuck to a plan, one that will sound familiar to fans in New England. Holt instituted what Buford calls "a value-based management team that was in symmetry with what Pop wanted to do on the basketball side." That is gobbledygook for: The organization comes first, and every decision will be discussed by everyone. "We believe that none of us are as smart as all of us," says Holt. Lips would be sealed too. In refusing to answer a question about strategy or personnel moves, Popovich has maintained a favorite expression: "That's family business."

Available at:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/jack_mccallum/06/19/nba.end0625/2.html