Magic must seek help on the boards

Published by http://www.dailybasketball.com/ on 08/09/2008

link: http://www.dailybasketball.com/2008/09/09/magic-must-seek-help-on-the-boards.html

After the Orlando Magic were defeated by the Detroit Pistons in the second round of the playoffs, it was clear that Dwight Howard needed help on the frontline. So what did the Magic do in the offseason to address the problem? They drafted a shooting guard (Lee) and signed a point guard and small forward in free agency (Johnson/Pietrus). So once again it appears as though Howard will have to shoulder the bulk of the inside work for the Magic this coming season.

He did that and more this year with averages of 20.7 points, 14.2 rebounds and 2.2 blocks per game. Starting forwards Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu, despite both being 6-10, were unable to contribute much in the rebounding department with averages of 5.4 and 5.7 rebounds respectively. Both are more likely to be found at the 3-point line, as opposed to mixing it up in the paint.

Teaming Howard up with a pair of offense-minded shot-happy small forwards places huge responsibility on the young man’s shoulders. If they’re not careful, the extra workload could lead to injury or, at the very least, frustration. Not the best way to treat your young superstar and franchise player.

Currently, the Magic have Tony Battie, Adonal Foyle, James Augustine and Marcin Gortat as the only other big men on the roster. Together with Rashard Lewis masquerading as the starting power forward, and this will simply not get it done against quality playoff teams.

One of the main offseason priorities for Magic GM Otis Smith should have been to acquire a suitable power forward to play alongside Howard. That player would be someone who is willing to do the dirty work, rebound, defend and protect Howard’s back. Although he re-signed with San Antonio, Kurt Thomas would have fit the bill perfectly.

But the Magic’s best (and cheapest) opportunity to address this need came on draft day in the form of Memphis strongman Joey Dorsey. Whilst their first round selection of Courtney Lee was a good one, they had ample opportunities to trade back into the draft to select Dorsey. Between their pick at 22 and pick 33 when Dorsey was selected, there were 5 trades, meaning teams were more than willing to part with their draft pick. Had they been prepared to dangle the little-used J.J. Redick, or future draft picks, there is no doubt that Dorsey could be wearing an Orlando uniform today.

Fact is, they didn’t and they blew it. Dorsey would have been the perfect compliment to Howard. He’s a rebounding machine, a tough defender and can finish around the rim, sort of a young Ben Wallace. Bringing the rebound-focused Dorsey off the bench to play the power forward position, would have allowed Howard to concentrate on other areas of his game, such as individual defense and shot blocking.

If Dorsey wasn’t available, players such as D.J. White (29), Nathan Jawai (41), Richard Hendrix (49) and Darnell Jackson (52), could have filled a similar role and should have been given strong consideration.

If the Magic wish to compete against Eastern Conference powers Boston and Detroit, they must provide Howard with help on the boards. Teams such as Toronto (O’Neal) and Philly (Brand), who the Magic will be in direct competition with, have added muscle to their frontline in the offseason. If the Magic don’t address this problem during the season, expect to see another early playoff exit.

Will Duncan be worth $21.3m in 2012?

Published by http://www.dailybasketball.com/ on 03/09/2008

Link: http://www.dailybasketball.com/2008/09/03/will-duncan-be-worth-213m-in-2012.html

Tim Duncan is the greatest power forward the game has ever seen. He is a perennial Allstar and MVP candidate. He has won four championship rings and will be inducted into the Hall of Fame. But will Tim Duncan be worth $21.3 million in 2012? The short answer - no.

During last season Duncan signed an extension that will see him don the Spur’s silver and black until 2012. At the time the general consensus was he did the Spurs a favour, by electing not to sign for the maximum allowable amount. However, the fact remains that he will be owed $62 million from 2010 to 2012, with a whopping $21.3m owed in the final year.

If Duncan really was genuine in his desire to assist with rebuilding he should have negotiated an extension that would pay him max money over the next year or two, then gradually decrease, so by 2012 his salary would be $12-13 million. This would have allowed the Spurs to re-tool around their aging, but relatively inexpensive big man.

As great as he still is, there is no doubt that by 2012 the Spurs will regret the extension that allows a 36 year old Duncan to eat up a third of their entire salary. Case in point, Shaquille O’Neal. When Shaq was traded to the Miami Heat in 2004, a year later at the age of 33 he signed a massive five year extension totalling $100 million. Seemed like the smart thing to do at the time, but two years and one championship later, they tried desperately to rid themselves of his rapidly diminishing skills and cap-killing contract. Fortunately for them, Phoenix took the bait and is now stuck with him for two more years at $40 million. Whilst it is unlikely that Duncan will meet the same fate as Shaquille O’Neal, due to the respect afforded to him by the city of San Antonio (and rightfully so), the San Antonio Spurs will ultimately suffer as a result.

One would have to assume that Duncan’s play will gradually fall off over the coming years, and by 2012 there is little doubt he will be nearing the end. But such a decline is natural, especially when you consider the amount of basketball his body has endured over the last decade.

So why did the Spurs feel it was necessary to pay him top dollar over the next five years, when his game is sure to decline? My guess, it was more of a ‘thanks for the memories’ gift, rather than good basketball business.

Over the last decade the Spurs have prided themselves on making smart basketball decisions both on and off the floor, which has directly led to their success. However, through the trading of Luis Scola, the passing up of legitimate talent in the 2008 Draft (Arthur, Greene, Chalmers, Chris Douglas-Roberts), and the overly generous extension to Duncan’s contract, it seems as though complacency has finally crept in to the San Antonio front office. These decisions will haunt the Spurs over the coming years and will ultimately lead to their gradual decline.