February In The NBA

It’s that time again folks, when I chime in with 10 observations from the previous month’s NBA action. Let’s get straight into it.

1. Melo Did Good For Melo

He’s a one-trick pony and a very VERY bad liar, but you have to hand it to the guy. Through all this mess (that he created) he achieved the best possible outcome (for himself); a max extension with the New York Knicks. Notice the theme here? Melo’s all about Melo and always has been. But for the sake of the Knicks, let’s hope he grows up in a hurry because that mentality is going to be a problem in New York, where a first round exit will get you drawn and quartered.

The Billups acquisition was a masterstroke. He’ll be the glue that holds this thing together early and makes them a very good team from the get-go.

But as we all know defense wins championships, so let’s not delude ourselves here; as currently constructed they can’t seriously contend. The elephant in the room is Melo’s and Amar’es defense, if you can call it that (I love the way George Karl called him out on it).

And for those of you clinging to the Miami game and saying “but look, they can defend”, well sure they can, when the mood strikes them (rarely). But defense has to be a collective mindset and something you just do, not something you say you do. Remember, over the course of a seven-game playoff series weaknesses will always be exposed (by good teams).

For the New York Knicks to become championship quality, the following must happen: In the same way that Paul Pierce and Ray Allen became solid defensive players when the ‘Big 3’ came together in Boston, Melo and Amar’e must make a genuine commitment to improve at that end of the floor. I believe this is possible, but only after they get their tails handed to them in the playoffs and then come to that realisation. But with these two, it may take a while for the ‘penny to drop’.

They must be surrounded with rock-solid defensive types. Fields and Turiaf are a good start (I don’t understand the Brewer buyout), but a tough defensive center is key (Joel Przybilla would be a nice pick-up in the offseason if he comes back). And the addition of a third ‘star’ will be required to replace Billups in 2012 to tie this thing together (which I believe will happen).

Succeed on these fronts and the Knicks become a legit contender and perennial powerhouse.

Read more of my article at NBAMate

The NBA's six most underpaid

Published by http://www.probasketballnews.com/ on 23/07/2008

Link: http://www.probasketballnews.com/todd_072308c.html

While overpaid players are a dime a dozen in the NBA, you have to look hard to find one that is ‘underpaid’. Not underpaid as in struggling to feed their family (hello Latrell Sprewell), but in relation to their talent, productivity, and in comparison to what players of similar ability are earning.

I have compiled a list of what I believe to be ‘the 6 most underpaid players in the NBA’. I have taken into consideration how much a player would fetch on the open market, if he were to become an unrestricted free agent today. I have excluded those players who are on rookie contracts, the parameters of which are set by the league.

1. Hedo Turkoglu, Orlando
07-08 Salary: $6.3m
Remaining: 2yr @ $14.2m

The first Turkish-born player in NBA history is finally fulfilling his potential. The 6-10 swingman with eight years of NBA experience, put up career highs in 2008 earning him the NBA’s Most Improved Player Award. He averaged 19.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 5.0 assists during the season. In the 2008 playoffs he maintained his strong performance, with averages of 17.5 points, 6.4 rebounds and 5.5 assists. With his recently acquired reputation as a clutch performer, Turkoglu would likely command $8-10m per year as an unrestricted free agent.

2. Manu Ginobili, San Antonio
07-08 Salary: $9.1m
Remaining: 2yr @ $20.6m

Who would have thought that a guy picked 57th (second to last) in the 1999 NBA Draft would have such a significant impact on the game. Manu Ginobili is an elite player in the NBA and has the numbers/accolades to prove it. While nagging injuries hampered him in the 2008 playoffs, he still had a fantastic season winning the Sixth Man Award, whilst averaging 19.5 points, 4.8 rebounds and 4.5 assists. With his unorthodox play, rugged defense and knack for the clutch shot, Ginobili has been a central figure in the Spur’s championship runs. There is no doubt that if Manu Ginobili became available on the open market, teams would be falling over themselves to secure his services. It is possible that he could receive offers approaching a maximum contract.

3. Kendrick Perkins, Boston
07-08 Salary: $4.4m
Remaining: 3yr @ $12.7m

The fifth year pro has slowly become a very solid NBA player. Perkins was the starting center on a star-studded Celtics team, and he certainly held up his end of the bargain. He meshed seamlessly with frontcourt mate Kevin Garnett, providing toughness, steady defense and occasional scoring. His finest performances came against the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference Finals, where he averaged a very respectable 9.3 points and 9.2 rebounds. As quality big men are hard to come by in today’s NBA, Perkins would receive a hefty pay raise as an unrestricted free agent, somewhere in the vicinity of $6-8m annually.

4. Grant Hill, Phoenix
07-08 Salary: $1.8m
Remaining: 1yr @ $1.9m

For almost $2m per year, Grant Hill is a bargain for the Phoenix Suns. His 07/08 averages were 13.1 points, 5.0 rebounds and 2.9 assists. You will not get better production on the dollar than this in the NBA. However, Mike D’Antoni’s short rotation during the regular season resulted in the notoriously injury-prone Hill logging an average of 31.7 minutes per game. Inevitably, Hill broke down towards the end of the season and his playoff performance suffered as a result. He only averaged 3.7 points and 5.3 rebounds in the first round loss to the San Antonio Spurs. Regardless, if used properly (in short bursts), Grant Hill can still impact an NBA game, and his true value would be around $3-5m per year.

5. John Salmons, Sacramento
07-08 Salary: $4.7m
Remaining: 3yr @ $16.4m

On July 24 2006, the Sacramento Kings signed John Salmons to a multi-year contract. Since that time Salmons has made tremendous strides for the Kings. He is a supremely talented offensive player who averaged 12.5 points, 4.4 rebounds and 2.6 assists during the 07/08 season. He played in 81 games and started 41 of those. When given the opportunity, Salmons showed an ability to consistently post 20 points or more per game. In fact, as a starter Salmons averaged 17.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists. With the possible departure of Ron Artest, expect to see continued improvement from the low-key Salmons. Given his relatively young age (28) and recent production, it is possible that Salmons could command $7-9m annually.

6. Rafer Alston, Houston
07-08 Salary: $4.5m
Remaining: 2yr @ $10.1m

How quickly things change in the NBA. You have a well reported reputation as an overpaid malcontent, and then suddenly you’re being labelled as a solid veteran who is crucial to the team’s success. Such is life for Rafer Alston, the former New York street basketball legend. The 07/08 season was clearly Alston’s best, with averages of 13.1 points and 5.3 assists. Alston was a key contributor in the 22 game win streak and was superb in the playoffs, averaging 14.3 points and 4.5 assists. His value to the Rockets was clearly evident when they struggled mightily in his absence during games 1 and 2 of the first round match-up with Utah. With the current need for quality point guards, Alston would likely fetch $6-7m annually if he hit the open market.