Extra Innings

Free agent signings begin tomorrow in the NBA, and amazingly this off-season has revolved around the Clippers. It would seem that Brand’s opt out spear-headed the chain reaction of free agent relocation. Let’s take a look at how each of the free agent signings turned out.

Davis to Clips:  The Clips needed a point and they got a talented one. However, Davis has never been a consistent winner, and he’s now joining the most consistent loser in NBA history. Now with reports of Brand leaving, the Clippers will be right back to square one. They are probably worst now, and Davis will probably be producing more than distributing.

Brand to 6ers: Hurts to lose Brand, but this is the right move for him. He gets his money and also gets to go home. He also leaves the deep Western Conference for the East. On the Clips with Davis, the Clips barely make the playoffs. On the 6ers, Brand is easily a 4th or 5th seed. Smart move by him. Seriously, are the Clippers ever going to win a championship. The answer is no.

Arenas stays with Wiz: Same with Brand. He gets his money (he’s ridiculously overpaid) and gets to stay in the East where the Wiz will be a 6th or 7th seed.

Maggette to Warriors: This one was fairly obvious as no one turns down a 5 mil a year increase in salary. Maggette pretty much doubled whatever other teams could give him. He also plays on a team that will fit his talents very well. Who needs to be on a winning team that can contend when you get that kind of dough and can put up all kind of stats?

Pietris to Magic: Low key move, he’ll be a solid contributor in defense. The Magic still need a big man to help out Dwight now that Brand’s in the East.

The big news out of the NBA is that the Clippers will team up Baron Davis and Elton Brand. On paper, it does look like a very entertaining match, especially with a starting lineup composed with Kaman, Mobley, and Thornton/Ross. The Clips look better than the Nuggets, only because their frontline can actually play D and rebound. This puts the Clips at around the 8th seed in the Western playoffs, most likely getting beat by the Maggette Spurs (just speculation at this point). But here are some reasons as to why the Clippers probably won’t be a top Western Conference team:

Kaman: He’s a beast, but I’m just not sold on him. There’s just a very inconsistent feel to him.

Mobley: Unless the Clips find some vet to replace him, they won’t win. He can’t play a lick of D.

Thornton: Being nominated as a starter in the Rook/Soph game won’t be enough.

Davis: He’s one of those guys that are incredibly entertaining, but too selfish and fundamentally sound to be a point guard on a championship team.

On a side note: Arenas made the right choice to stay in the East. On the Wiz he’ll make the playoffs as a 5th seed. In the West, the Warriors are headed to the lottery.

Very intriguing draft this year especially the first 15 or so picks and the trades that were made. Some quick thoughts on the winners and losers of the draft.

Winner: Portland and Bayless. I think the Blazers are building an incredible team there. They have amazing talent in Roy, Oden, and now Bayless. Like a solidly built team, they have an all around player maker and a gifted big man. Now all they need is a solid and composed point. Hopefully Bayless comes through.

Winner: Milwakee. I don’t know how they did it but they replaced a wrong fit in Yi with a great athlete in Alexander and pulled out a solid player in Richard jefferson. I know that leaves them little cap space to improve the team through free agency, but seriously who wants to come to Milwakee? Might as well get a capable all-star player for two stiffs.

Winner: Beasley and Heat. I think Riles knows whats hes doing and can the most out of a Beasley with a chip on his shoulder. He will be more focused and work harder that way.

Loser: Kevin Love. Hes a great guy and skilled center, but is no way dominant enough to save the Grizzlies. Love is going to be stuck on basketball’s equivalent to the lovable Cubs, except they have horrible ownership and no tradition at all. Good luck to Kevin.

UPDATE: Looks like OJ is the loser here. He’s a good talent and has the ability to turn a team around, but Im not so sure hes going to stick around Memphis for his entire career. Great news for Kevin as he will be teamed with Jefferson, Miller, and Randy foye, things are looking good for that team. He’s a great complementary player and will succeed with the Wolves.

Loser: Gallinari. No way an unknown like him can succeed in New York. It just doesn’t work out.

Loser: Bobcats. I still don’t know what they are doing. Hiring Larry Brown then drafting a young point and a guy that will be stashed over seas? Aug might be good, but its going to be awhile.

Congrats to the Boston Celtics for their Finals victory. It was definitely well deserved as the effort they put in was much better than the pitiful Lakers. A couple of thoughts on the series.

The series was lost from the moment the Zen Master decided that Vlad could guard Pierce. Seriously? Just by putting him on Pierce stressed the Lakers’ defense and pretty much made everyone play looking out the corner of their eye expecting Pierce to blow by Vlad. The matchup broke the Lakers’ D before any D could be played. I know I don’t have 9 championship rings, but I would have interchanged Kobe and Odom on Pierce. To me, star players have to step up and play defense in the Finals, not rely on lame-o Vlad.

The series was also lost the moment James Posey stepped on the court. The guy reminds me of Robert “Big Shot Bob” Horry. He plays solid defense and hits threes with impeccable timing. I wouldn’t be surprised if Posey ends up with 4+ championship rings playing off the bench.

And finally, the series was lost from the moment the Big 3 were formed. One of my pet peeves about watching the NBA is that superstars and established veterans always get the benefit of the calls. Not only were the Celtics more talented, more experienced, but they also had the advantage of the refs on their side. The series was pretty much a loss cause for the Lakers. Does that mean the NBA is rigged? Not likely. I believe that it is just simply human nature and relationship that the refs favor the veterans and the star players while ignoring or being skeptical of lesser known players. But from what I’ve seen in the NBA, it leads to very little possibility of upsets occuring. The best team will always win in basketball. This leaves no room for any Red Sox comebacks from 3-0 series deficits and any New York Giant upsets. To me, the NBA is fun, but is not where “amazing happens.”